By Corey Byers

Derick Sammons was happy to respond to this last point.

“There is always someone there, be it police officers, safety ambassadors or park staff,” he said.

The second group – the VCU Police Safety Ambassador Unit – is a new addition to the campus landscape, and Sammons is one of six full-time ambassadors who provide additional security services that do not require a sworn police officer.

Since their activation in early 2023, the unarmed Safety Ambassadors on both VCU campuses have handled more than 5,800 emergency calls, including self-initiated calls. Calls include mental health checks, assisting drivers with car problems, picking up lost property and conducting non-emergency patient transport. They also assist police in staffing large events.

John Venuti, VCU’s assistant vice president for public safety and police chief, said the team was assembled in accordance with recommendations from VCU’s Safety and Welfare Advisory Board. Its members are leading VCU’s transition to a new public safety model aimed at promoting the safety and well-being of every individual in a more equitable and holistic manner.

“The ambassadors have been well received because students and staff know they don’t have to talk to a police officer if they don’t need to,” Venuti said. “The team is becoming a national model for alternative types of public safety personnel in higher education.”

In the summer of 2024, the team was featured in the Chronicle of Higher Education’s trends overview titled “Expanding Partnerships to Ensure Campus Safety: Time to Collaborate.”

Safety ambassadors complete training that includes de-escalation of violence, mental health first aid, crisis intervention, traffic control, police radio use, and CPR and first aid. They are located on the Monroe Park and MCV campuses seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. for most of the academic year.

Jihad Aziz, Ph.D., executive director of University Counseling Services, said safety ambassadors provide a level of comfort to students, especially during mental health crises.

“VCU Police have been able to provide options,” Aziz said. “Students may feel uncomfortable in the presence of a sworn officer … and they have multiple opportunities to advocate for their safety and well-being in a way that makes them feel better.”

Brian Sussman, Safety Ambassador Program manager who oversees training and assignments, said the team has a unique opportunity to de-escalate potentially explosive situations.

“Safety ambassadors do not wear vests or carry weapons,” he said. “Because they are not armed, a potential barrier is broken down among students and a feeling of trust and understanding is immediately created.”

Sussman said safety ambassadors work at special events, including police education events, to bridge the gap between police and community members. Over time, the team’s responsibilities have grown.

“From the moment we started taking calls, we knew we had to grow and take on as much responsibility as possible when it came to helping students and supporting police officers,” Sussman said. “Calls for help have increased over the last year, and we expect that to continue as we integrate into the university’s security fabric.”

VCU Police are focused on the use of their resources and how officers and ambassadors can best serve VCU and the surrounding community, Venuti said.

“When sworn officers remain available for more serious situations, response times to critical incidents are better,” Venuti said. “This model allows us to assist anyone who needs help with minimal delays.”

In a spring 2024 security survey, 80% of respondents said they knew security ambassadors. In addition, 42% said the presence of the ambassadors increased their sense of security.

The team also includes part-time student safety ambassadors who conduct foot patrols and address potential safety issues on both campuses.

Jackson Newman is a rising senior majoring in criminal justice, homeland security, and emergency preparedness. Last year, he started as a part-time student safety ambassador, thinking the job would be a good fit with his professional interests.

While Newman was on patrol, students would approach him and ask for directions and about the Safety Ambassador program. He also helped full-time ambassadors jump-start cars and chaperone events on campus.

“The uniqueness of our role is that we are also students, so if students do not wish to speak to an officer, they can contact a security officer with any questions or need assistance,” Newman said.

He enjoyed making sure students felt safe in their home and school, and noted that new students and their families were “absolutely” receptive to the ambassadors.

“It makes them happy to see not only police officers, but also student and professional safety ambassadors,” Newman said, “so you basically have a whole team protecting the campus and looking out for the students.”