The Salem State University Police Department protects the community 24 hours a day, every day of the year. In addition to providing patrol services to all Salem State University campuses the department provides related police services, medical emergency response, crime prevention education, parking, lost and found, traffic support, and a variety of other services to the Salem State University community.
Salem State University police officers possess the same powers, authority and responsibilities as municipal police officers in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Our officers attend full-time police academies and undergo periodic in-service training as well as specialized training on a variety of topics and current issues.
Patrols are conducted 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on foot, by bicycle and in vehicles. The department is responsible for enforcing all university rules and regulations, as well as local, state and federal laws, statutes and ordinances.
The Salem State University Police Department also works closely with local and state police on matters of mutual concern, and maintains active, ongoing relationships that include the sharing of information on known and suspected criminal activity.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Salem State University Police Department is to provide a safe and secure environment that supports and enhances the educational mission of the university. We are committed to the protection of life and property, and the prevention and detection of crime accomplished in partnership with the community by way of superior law enforcement services delivered with integrity and pride. In furtherance of this mission we will:
- Respect and safeguard the dignity and rights of all individuals and treat members of the community and each other with courtesy, fairness and respect.
- Foster and maintain partnerships with all segments of our community through communication and collaboration.
- Accept and appreciate the differences in culture, thought, and experiences of all individuals and to integrate those differences in all we do.
- Continuously strive to discover and generate new ideas, methods, and processes to prevent crime, enhance safety and support a vibrant living and learning community.
Contact University Police
Suspicious or criminal activity, as well as other emergencies, may be reported by dialing ext. 6111 on campus or 978.542.6111 from off campus, by walking into the station (located on Central Campus) or by activating one of the emergency telephones (blue light) located on all campuses.
| Name | Phone Number |
| Chief Trish Murphy | 978.542.6542 |
| Deputy Chief Richard A. Riggs | 978.542.6542 |
| Lieutenant Stephen Turcotte | 978.542.6029 |
Emergency Phone Numbers
Call ext. 6111 from a university phone or 978.542.6111 or 911 from a cell phone or non-university phone.
Alternate emergency phone lines to be used only when university phones are not working:
978.744.0375
978.744.4572
978.745.8289
Crime and Arrest Logs
View a full listing of