Department of Campus Police

The WLU Department of Campus Police is dedicated to providing excellence in service to the campus community. We shall strive to ensure a safe, secure and pleasant atmosphere, conducive to a positive social and educational process, in the law enforcement efforts to protect the campus community.

Campus law enforcement is primarily the responsibility of the Department of Campus Police, which provides 24-hour-a-day patrol to the grounds, parking lots, residence halls, academic buildings and the faculty housing area. The Campus Police Office is located on the lower level in Shaw Hall. Officers may be reached by calling 304.336.8021. 911 should be called in case of an emergency.

The Campus Police Department employs campus police officers commissioned by the State of West Virginia, with full law enforcement authority and responsibilities identical to the local police or Sheriff’s Department. The Campus Police officers work closely with the West Virginia State Police, Sheriff’s Department, and other law enforcement agencies.

West Liberty University has met or exceeded the training standards of the West Virginia Criminal Justice and Highway Safety Law Enforcement Training Committee. They also receive on-going in-service and specialized training in nonviolent crisis intervention, legal updates, domestic violence, firearms, and other skills.

Campus Police officers enforce state, local and university rules and regulations governing underage drinking, the use of controlled substances, weapons, and all other incidents requiring police assistance. They are also responsible for public safety services, such as crime reports, medical emergencies, fire emergencies, and traffic accidents. Monthly reports are reported to the West Virginia State Police, who are consistent with the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) systems.

The Campus Police Department is a designated “Safe Place” for children.

Annual Security Report/Clery Act Compliance

This annual Campus Safety Report is required by the Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act of 1990. The Act requires that it be sent to all employees and students at the University. It contains the following:

1. A summary of the institution’s security procedures.
2. The annual summary of reported incidents for the previous three calendar years.
3. A list of definitions explaining the various categories of incidents reported in the annual summary.

The current report is available online at westliberty.edu/residence-life/asr or by stopping by the Campus Police Office.

Campus Automobile Regulations

All motor vehicles parked on campus by the students, faculty, and staff of the institution must park in authorized parking spaces. Signs and/or parking space lines mark all lots and parking spaces. Whenever possible, operators of motorcycles are requested to utilize less than a full parking space. Any vehicle requiring a state license is classed as a motor vehicle.

Registration: All motor vehicles on campus must be registered with the University. 

Color-coded parking hang tags are available every year. Only one hang tag per person will be issued. Permits expire 31 July of each year and must be renewed prior to 1 August. Loss of parking permit requires a fee for a new one and the lost permit will be voided.

The charging of fees and the issuing of hang tags merely authorizes the holders to drive and park on campus; they do not guarantee the availability of a legal space in which to park a car. The university will continue to monitor the demand for parking spaces. Operators of automobiles are asked to report to Campus Police Office for assistance at any time when there appears to be no legal space in which to park a car.

The parking hang tag must be visible in all vehicles which park in the assigned parking areas at all times while parked on campus or a parking/traffic citation will be issued. Traffic citations will be issued on campus for the following types of violations: unauthorized parking, parking in fire lane, at yellow curb or on yellow lines, on the grass, in a driveway or flow of traffic, parking improperly or occupying two parking spaces, driving recklessly or the wrong way on a one-way street, running a “Stop” sign, exceeding the campus speed limit of 15 m.p.h., or parking in traffic circles, such as those in front of Beta and Hughes Halls, and in the lane behind Beta.

Vehicles found to be in violation according to the above stipulations of the code may be ticketed, towed, or booted. Failure to pay fines will result in a hold placed on academic records and/or booting or towing the vehicle.

Any person guilty of negligent homicide or reckless driving upon any of the driveways or other parts of the campus is subject to arrest by Campus officers or other law enforcement officers. Reckless driving includes driving on any area of the campus not intended for automobile traffic, such as sidewalks and lawns.

THE UNIVERSITY IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGE OR THEFTS.