UC Davis Tiered Responses to Calls for Campus Assistance

UC Davis is committed to creating an environment where our community feels safe, heard and respected in every interaction so that we can continue to collaborate to improve campus safety practices.

Through an inclusive approach to public safety, the university strives to pair any call for help received by its dispatchers with the most appropriate services and resources available — whether from the UC Davis Police Department, Fire Department, community ambulances or resources curated for students and employees, such as mental health and well-being services.

See the UC Davis Tiered Responses PDF document.

What is Tiered Response?

Published in fall 2022, this webpage is based on the document, "UC Davis Tiered Responses to Calls for 911 or Non-Emergency Assistance" (PDF), which reflects the current status of how emergency and welfare response works at UC Davis, including levels of response from across campus departments. This approach is a work in progress that UC Davis is continuing to grow and develop further. Hiring is underway for new types of positions within the UC Davis Police Department and UC Davis Fire Department that will be critical to the future of this approach. New relationships between campus departments are being built, strengthened and tested as part of this process. We expect this document will be updated once these new processes are fully activated.

This is a critical part of re-imagining how we support our community and our campuswide response to recommendations from the Task Force for Next Generation Reforms to Advance Campus Safety and the UC Community Safety Plan.

Explore more progress toward UC Davis safety reforms

Types of Responders

Many different types of responders work in the UC Davis Police Department and UC Davis Fire Department. Their various roles are described below.

Uniformed Police Officers
Sworn police officers wear protective equipment and drive distinctly marked white UC Davis Police Department vehicles. Available 24/7.
CORE Officers
Sworn police officers provide consultation, education and support as part of UC Davis community policing efforts. CORE Officers wear polo shirts with their UC Davis Police affiliation, and their police protective equipment is generally not visible. They travel by plain vehicle or on foot, sometimes with a K-9 companion. CORE Officers are generally available 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. and later as events/needs dictate.
Campus Safety Specialists (early 2023)
Staff members who address safety issues that don’t require the presence of a sworn officer (Uniformed Police Officer or Core Officer) and also provide support to officers when needed. This includes responding to calls for after-the-fact incidents, leading safety trainings, alerting the community to scams, taking reports, diverting traffic and patrolling specified areas. They wear grey "Campus Safety" shirts and navy pants. They drive white vehicles with UC Davis notation on the doors. Beginning in early 2023, Campus Safety Specialists will be available on the Davis campus with the UC Davis Police Department, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Protective Services Specialists
California registered security guards predominantly work fixed posts in Sacramento and mobile posts in Davis, including foot patrol. They are equipped with yellow flashing strobes, carry a radio and wear a Protective Services uniform. They drive white vehicles with UC Davis notation on the doors. As part of the UC Davis Police Department, the Protective Service position is active on the Sacramento campus and will expand to the Davis campus to enhance security in early 2023. They are available 24/7.
Physical Systems Security Staff Members
Civilian staff members whose focus is campus safety and crime prevention through the use of cameras, videos, card access and other infrastructure. Physical Systems Security staff members with the UC Davis Police Department are generally available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays
Firefighter/EMTs
Campus firefighters wear logoed uniforms and drive distinctly marked, red UC Davis Fire Department vehicles. They are all-hazard responders for many emergency types including fires, medical needs, hazardous materials incidents and technical rescues. During medical emergencies, campus firefighter/EMTs provide rapid care until an ambulance arrives. They are available 24/7.
Student Firefighters and Student EMTs
Students trained and employed by the UC Davis Fire Department work alongside campus firefighter/EMTs. They wear logoed uniforms and drive distinctly marked, red UC Davis Fire Department vehicles. In addition to their emergency responsibilities, they also provide medical standby services at campus events, provide community outreach, teach CPR and other medical response certification courses, and assist in the delivery of fire department programs and services.
Aggie Hosts
Student security employees who respond to calls for Safe Rides with the UC Davis Police Department. For event security and surveillance, they primarily assist, observe and report matters to police dispatchers. Aggie Hosts wear khaki pants and polo shirts and drive Safe Ride vans or operate on foot.
Health 34 Allied Health Paramedics and EMTs (early 2023)
The Health 34 initiative, led by the UC Davis Fire Department, will deliver non-emergent response including mental/behavioral health support and minor medical care to anyone on the UC Davis campus. A new 10-digit phone number will be available to connect callers directly with a care team comprised of allied health paramedics, EMTs and students from the School of Medicine and Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing on clinical rotations. Team members intervene in advance of a crisis and foster wellness, assist with acute health issues and deliver service navigation to community members, wherever they are on campus. They wear logoed medical scrubs and drive a distinctly marked, red UC Davis Fire Department vehicle. The team will respond to Health 34 calls on a 24/7 basis.

What Happens When You Call for Help at UC Davis

A dispatcher answers your call and quickly assesses the situation — and then activates responders based on the type of call and resources currently available. Dispatchers evaluate each call across many dimensions based on what the caller is describing and assign responders or resources best suited for the need.

Responses outlined in this document are currently activated by dispatchers when a caller in a UC Davis location dials 911 — or else when someone calls one of the UC Davis dispatch nonemergency numbers on the Davis campus (530-752-1727) or the Sacramento campus (916-734-2555).

Dispatchers handle these calls 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

Tiers of Responses to Various Call Types

Emergency Response: Crime/Violence

Emergency Response: Police Department

Uniformed Police Officers will always be dispatched in the case of an emergency or violence, if a suspect is still on or near the scene, if the call is deemed to have insufficient information, or if enforcement is needed for an ongoing crime.

Campus Safety Specialists (early 2023) may join Uniformed Police Officers on emergency calls for service to provide support.

Emergency Response: Medical/Fire

UC Davis Fire Department

UC Davis Firefighter/EMTs are dispatched for emergencies related to fires and medical aid for accidents, injuries and sudden illnesses. Often arriving before an ambulance service, UC Davis firefighter/EMTs may determine whether or not an ambulance is necessary.

Local Ambulance

A local ambulance is dispatched for any emergency medical call for service.

Police Department

Uniformed Police Officers may also respond to calls related to fires and medical aid, if there is a legal or regulatory requirement for investigation or reporting purposes.

Welfare Response

Health 34

Allied Health Paramedics and student EMTs (early 2023) from the UC Davis Fire Department’s Station 34 will respond to welfare concerns related to minor medical care and mental/behavioral health (e.g., anxiety, panic). fire.ucdavis.edu/health-34

Student Housing and Dining Services

Community advisors, resident directors and student employees may respond to a welfare check or questions related to a student resident’s mental health or basic needs.

Police Department

Uniformed Police Officers, CORE Officers and Campus Safety Specialists (early 2023) may be part of a joint response, depending on details of the call.

Security Response

Police Department

Aggie Hosts are student security employees who respond to calls for Safe Rides. Requests for Safe Rides are the most common calls for service to the UC Davis Police Department.

Protective Service Specialists or Uniformed Police Officers will respond depending on availability and the nature of the security issue as described by the caller.

Physical Systems Security staff members may respond jointly with others, if available and if the security issue indicates a likely need for infrastructure improvements, such as additional cameras, alarm systems or card access.

Facilities Management

Staff members respond to needs related to custodial services, building maintenance, fleet vehicle services and campus utilities management. Operators help make connections for urgent requests such as an elevator problem, including a night operator who coordinates security and facilities issues after normal business hours. facilities.ucdavis.edu

Transportation Services

Staff members provide basic motorist assistance during extended business hours. Services can include battery jump-starts, tire inflation, lockout services or a ride to a gas station. taps.ucdavis.edu/parking/assistance

Non-Crisis Investigation and Follow-Up Support

In the wake of a call for help, responders may suggest following up with a wide variety of resources that UC Davis provides to students and employees for further assistance. Some of these services are listed below. Depending on the situation, a dispatcher or responder may find these resources best for the situation and refer students or employees to them. At other times, a police officer may incorporate some of these offices as part of a formal follow-up process. Other groups would need to be contacted by the caller themselves. These services are more likely to be available during normal weekday business hours.

Non-Crisis: Investigation

Police Department

CORE Officers or Campus Safety Specialists will respond when available, if a call has no violence, no enforcement is needed, and no suspect is on the scene. This could include reports of a potential crime, recently or in the past, and could involve further investigation by other campus units.

Harassment and Discrimination Assistance and Prevention Program (HDAPP)

Staff members helps resolve conflict and complaints of harassment or discrimination against anyone affiliated with UC Davis and UC ANR. Complaints include discrimination, hate and bias, sexual harassment, sexual violence or specific other prohibited behaviors. hdapp.sf.ucdavis.edu/report-incident

Office of Student Support and Judicial Affairs (OSSJA)

Case managers support students who are in distress and coordinate the university’s response (including leading the Student Crisis Response Team). Other staff members with OSSJA administer the student disciplinary system, oversee the Campus Judicial Board and assist in resolving student grievances. ossja.ucdavis.edu/mission-functions

Office of Compliance and Policy

Staff members investigate concerns regarding unethical behavior and behavior that is noncompliant with policy, including conducting investigations into violations of the university’s policies regarding Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence, Nondiscrimination, Whistleblower and Whistleblower Protection, as well as allegations of police misconduct. This office also provides leadership for the university’s Title IX, Clery Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Affirmative Action, and privacy programs.

Follow-Up Support

Center for Advocacy Resources and Education (CARE)

Specialists provide confidential advocacy, support and healing services to survivors of sexual harassment and all forms of sexual violence, including sexual assault, intimate partner violence and stalking. A confidential advocate is available 24/7 for urgent matters such as a sexual assault that has occurred in the past five days or assistance with emergency shelter due to intimate partner violence. Services are confidential, free and available to any UC Davis student or employee, including survivors and someone concerned about a survivor. care.ucdavis.edu/about-us

Office of Student Support and Judicial Affairs (OSSJA)

Case managers support students who are in distress and coordinate the university’s response (including leading the Student Crisis Response Team). The student may be in distress due to emotional issues, health, personal relationships, grades, academic standing or other problems. Anyone can contact a case manager when they are concerned about a student, including another student, and contacting a case manager does not get the student in trouble, but ensures a coordinated response. ossja.ucdavis.edu/mission-functions

Student Affairs Postvention Team

Committee members help coordinate campus response after a sudden student death to provide psychological support and practical assistance to those affected. Whether the death is related to illness, an accident, suicide or other cause, providing support and care after a campus death requires rapid, intensive coordination between many units and individuals. studentaffairs.ucdavis.edu/ wellness-and-support/postvention/resources

Harassment and Discrimination Assistance and Prevention Program (HDAPP)

Staff members receive complaints of harassment or discrimination against anyone affiliated with UC Davis and UC ANR. Complaints include discrimination, hate and bias, sexual harassment, sexual violence or specific other prohibited behaviors. hdapp.sf.ucdavis.edu/report-incident

Student Health and Counseling Services (SHCS)

Counselors provide student-centered mental health services, advocacy, outreach and consultation to promote psychological well-being and academic success. Students can call for 24-hour crisis counseling consultation. Medical personnel also provide acute care for injuries or sudden-onset illnesses, and students can speak with an advice nurse, free of charge during normal business hours. shcs.ucdavis.edu/about/how-get-help-when-were-closed

Aggie Compass Basic Needs Center

Coordinators help UC Davis students navigate services and campus resources related to securing basic needs such as housing, food, mental health, financial resources and crisis support. aggiecompass.ucdavis.edu

Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Faculty and staff members provide leadership and training to help UC Davis address issues of institutional diversity, systemic inclusion and social equity that are paramount to students, patients, employees and community members. This office also provides administrative support to the Police Accountability Board. diversity.ucdavis.edu

Office of Compliance and Policy

Staff members respond to concerns regarding unethical behavior and behavior that is noncompliant with policy, including conducting investigations into violations of the university’s policies regarding Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence, Nondiscrimination, Whistleblower and Whistleblower Protection, as well as allegations of police misconduct. This office also provides leadership for the university’s Title IX, Clery Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Affirmative Action, and privacy programs.

UC Davis Medical Center

Behavorial Escalation Support Team (BEST) at UC Davis Medical Center consists of a psychiatric nurse practitioner, mental health team member and Lift Team member who attempt to de-escalate situations among patients and visitors. Any UC Davis Health employee can call for BEST, which serves all in-patient units 24/7.

Social Workers at UC Davis Medical Center are available to help employees and patients manage personal and family conflicts. As case managers, they can help navigate a wide variety of resources.

Workplace Violence

This multi-disciplinary team addresses threats of workplace violence, reviews workplace violence reports, and serves as subject matter experts on solutions available to mitigate future incidents from Human Resources, Academic and Staff Assistance Program (ASAP), UC Davis Police Department, Office of Campus Counsel and other departments.