FAQ

Find answers to frequently asked questions about Campus Safety services, Campus Safety officers, reporting incidents, law enforcement services, emergency phones, crime information, and other campus safety resources.

What does Campus Safety do?

Campus Safety serves the UW Bothell and Cascadia College campus 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our services support a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for students, employees, and visitors and include:

  • Proactive safety patrols
  • Response to safety concerns and incidents
  • De-escalation and conflict resolution
  • In-person and online incident reporting
  • Safety escorts
  • Building access and lockout assistance
  • Vehicle battery jump assistance
  • Lost and found
  • Campus safety education and training
  • Emergency preparedness and response coordination
  • Referrals to campus and community resources

What Campus Safety Officers Do Not Do

Campus Safety officers are not commissioned law enforcement officers. When a situation requires police authority or law enforcement intervention, Campus Safety coordinates with the City of Bothell Police Department.

  • Make arrests
  • Physically remove individuals from campus buildings
  • Carry guns
  • Issue parking citations

What Training do Campus Safety Officers receive?

Campus Safety officers receive ongoing training to support professional, safe, and effective service to the campus community. In addition to required University training, officers receive training in areas such as CPR and first aid, de-escalation, crisis intervention, emergency response, communication, incident response, and scenario-based exercises.

Are Campus Safety Officers police officers?

No. Campus Safety officers are not commissioned law enforcement officers and do not have police authority. Their primary role is to provide safety services, respond to campus concerns, support de-escalation and prevention, and connect community members with appropriate resources.

UW Bothell and Cascadia College partner with the City of Bothell Police Department for law enforcement services. A commissioned City of Bothell police officer serves the campus as the Campus Resource Officer (CRO) and works closely with Campus Safety.

Campus Resource Officer Partnership

A commissioned City of Bothell police officer serves the UW Bothell and Cascadia College campus as the Campus Resource Officer (CRO). The CRO works closely with Campus Safety to provide law enforcement services, crime prevention, community engagement, and response to incidents requiring police authority.

Learn more about the Campus Resource Officer program and partnership with the City of Bothell Police Department.

What Happens When I Contact Campus Safety?

  1. Report Received
    • A safety concern or incident may be reported by phone, in person, online, or identified by a Campus Safety officer.
  2. Response and Assessment
    • Campus Safety receives the information and assigns an officer to respond when appropriate.
    • The responding officer assesses the situation and determines what assistance or additional resources may be needed.
  3. Documentation and Coordination
    • Campus Safety documents the incident and coordinates with appropriate campus or community partners when needed.
    • Incidents requiring police, fire, or emergency medical services are referred to or coordinated with the appropriate emergency response agency.
  4. Review and Follow-Up
    • Incident reports are reviewed by Campus Safety supervision.
    • Additional follow-up, referrals, notifications, or coordination may occur depending on the circumstances.

Can I Submit a Report Online?

Yes. You can submit a non-emergency incident report through the Online Campus Safety Reporting System for incidents such as lost property, harassment, vandalism, and theft. For concerns involving discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, or related retaliation, use the UW Civil Rights & Title IX Report Form. For emergencies or immediate threats to safety, call 911.

Do Campus Safety Incident Reports Go to the Bothell Police Department?

Campus Safety incident reports are not automatically sent to the City of Bothell Police Department. Depending on the nature and circumstances of an incident, Campus Safety may coordinate with or notify law enforcement when police assistance or authority is needed.

Where Can I See Crime Data for Campus?

UW Bothell publishes campus crime and fire safety information in accordance with the Clery Act. Resources include the Daily Crime and Fire Log and the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, which provides campus crime statistics, safety policies, and other required information

What Are the Blue Emergency Phones on Campus?

Blue emergency call towers and parking garage Help buttons provide direct access to 911 for police, fire, or emergency medical assistance. When activated, emergency responders are dispatched based on the nature and location of the emergency.

Campus Safety may also respond to assist with the incident and coordinate with emergency responders as needed.

What Is the Difference Between Campus Safety and SafeCampus?

Campus Safety provides on-campus safety and security services for the UW Bothell and Cascadia College community. Campus Safety personnel are physically present on campus 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and respond to incidents, safety concerns, requests for assistance, and other campus safety needs.

SafeCampus is the University of Washington’s violence-prevention and response program. SafeCampus provides consultation and support for concerns involving threatening behavior, violence prevention, stalking, relationship violence, harassment, and other situations that may affect the safety and well-being of the UW community. SafeCampus serves the UW Bothell, Seattle, and Tacoma campuses and UW Medicine.

Learn more about SafeCampus services and resources.

How Is Campus Safety Organized?

Campus Safety supports the shared UW Bothell and Cascadia College campus through four primary functional areas: Campus Safety Operations, Emergency Preparedness, Environmental Health and Safety, and Transportation Services. These functions are led by the Senior Director for Campus Safety within UW Bothell Planning and Administration.

Campus Safety also works in partnership with the City of Bothell Police Department, which assigns a commissioned Campus Resource Officer (CRO) to support the campus community.

View the Campus Safety Organizational Chart for current leadership, staffing, and organizational information.