The Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) Community Engagement Unit engages and partners with
students, faculty, staff, patients, and visitors to educate and inform about preventing crime and safety
hazards on campus. We encourage our community members to take a proactive approach to safeguarding themselves and
others. Together, we can make the University of Michigan a safer and more secure place to study, work, live and heal.
Our Services
Community Engagement provides the following services to the U-M community:
Community Engagement in Action
In addition to our services, the DPSS community engagement team participates in community
events, alcohol harm reduction programs, interpersonal violence prevention education, new
student orientation and meets with students and staff on a variety of safety-related topics.
Therapy Dog Nico
Have you met Nico yet? You may have noticed a furry new addition to the University of Michigan
Division of Public Safety and Security's (DPSS) Community Engagement Team!
This new therapy dog program aims to provide engagement opportunities with our campus community,
as well as emotional support for anybody having a stressful experience. For students, the transition
from a structured home life to the freedom of campus has long been considered one of the most stressful
events in a student's life. “I think a therapy dog is awesome because college is stressful, and having a l
ittle guy to cuddle helps you focus on other things,” says Emma, a South Quad resident. DPSS is always
looking for ways to support our campus community and create a safe and welcoming environment.
For more information about these services, contact us!
Phone: (734) 763-3434
Email:
dpss-safety-security@umich.edu
Our Goals
Our community engagement team aims to:
Connect with the U-M community through innovative lifelong learning opportunities
Engage in dialogue about safety, awareness, and community development
Strengthen relationships and facilitate partnerships
Educate and empower community members through personal safety training and awareness
Our Approach
Our Community Engagement Unit—a diverse team of officers from the U-M Police Department (UMPD),
Housing Security and Michigan Medicine Security—works together with the U-M community to provide
education, timely communication, and community engagement. We empower community members to take charge of
their own safety and collaborate with DPSS to make a safer and more secure campus.
Director David Marshall leads our DPSS Community Engagement efforts,
and brings with him over 25 years of law enforcement experience from both the City of Dearborn
Police Department and UM-Dearborn. During his time with the City of Dearborn, Lt. Marshall
rose to the rank of Captain and, in addition to many other projects and duties, led the Dearborn
Police Department's Community Outreach Program. Most recently, Lt. Marshall served as a sergeant
with our colleagues at UM-Dearborn.
Favorite quote: “Devote yourself to loving others,
devote yourself to your community, and devote yourself to
creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.” -Mitch Albom
In addition to Director Marshall's public safety experience, he has twenty years of
combined active duty and reserve service as an officer in the United States Marine Corps,
advancing to the rank of Major.
Lt. Marshall holds a bachelor's degree from Eastern
Michigan University, a master's degree in criminal justice from California State University,
San Bernardino, and is a graduate of the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety's
School of Police Staff and Command.