University Police

Police Department Facts

The Police department provides many service-oriented functions to the McNeese community consisting of over 8,600 students, faculty and staff.

The University Police department provides police and security services twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week to all McNeese students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
These services generally consist of information, parking assistance, escort service and police protective and investigative services.

The University Police Officers are sworn commissioned police officers with the full range of police powers. They are empowered to make arrest in the matters concerning felonies and misdemeanors.

Police officers are responsible for a full range of public safety services, including crime reports, investigations, medical emergencies, fire emergencies, hazardous waste emergencies, traffic accidents, parking violations, enforcement of laws regulating consumption of alcoholic beverages, and the use of controlled substances, weapons and all other incident requiring police assistance.

University Police officers compile information, prepare reports and submit incident reports to the District Attorney's Office. The department shares information on arrest and serious crimes with Lake Charles City Police,  The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Department, the District Attorney's office, the State Police, and other law enforcement agencies. Computer checks of warrants for wanted person can be conducted through computer link-up with the Louisiana Department of Public Safety. The terminal provides access to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) which accesses the computer files of all Criminal Justice systems.

A University Police investigator is available or on-call to conduct criminal investigations, crime prevention surveys and provide personal protection tips.

Safety Policies  

The university makes every effort to ensure that the campus facilities, buildings, and grounds are designed and maintained in such a way as to promote safety and reduce criminal opportunity. Particular attention is paid to the design of landscaping and exterior lighting.  

Use of University Facilities

With the exception of events that are open to the general public and advertised as such, the university’s facilities and programs are generally reserved for accomplishing the objectives and programs of the university. Visitors and non-university affiliated groups seeking to utilize university facilities are expected to make prior arrangements with the appropriate university office. Authorization to use MSU facilities is determined by university regulations then in effect. Visitors and guests to MSU residence halls must be registered by their hosts while in the residence halls.

Residence Halls

Procedures to ensure safety within residence halls include 24-hour-a-day staffed desks in each building or complex. Women’s residence halls have limited access through main doors only. Procedures for guest visitation are established by the residents of each building in accordance with MSU residence hall guidelines. Residence halls are equipped with fire safety equipment that includes smoke detectors and/or heat sensors that activate the central fire alarm system. In residence halls, emergency exits are equipped with alarms that sound whenever opened. Residence hall staffs are trained to maintain security and to summon police, fire, medical, and maintenance assistance when needed. Criminal activity observed within or in the vicinity of buildings is reported to the MSU Police Department. Firearms, explosives, fireworks, or other hazardous materials are not permitted in or around residence halls or university apartments.

Academic and Administrative Buildings

Academic and administrative buildings are secured by university personnel. Hours of security may vary from building to building, depending on use. Like the residence halls, these buildings are equipped with fire safety equipment that includes smoke detectors and/or heat sensors that activate the central fire alarm system.