Northern Illinois University Department of Police and Public Safety 2023 Annual Report

Northern Illinois University Department of Police and Public Safety

Chief’s Message

On behalf of our Northern Illinois University Department of Police and Public Safety, I am pleased to present our 2023 annual report. This report summarizes statistical information regarding department activities as well as achievements and notable events which occurred during 2023.

The safety and well-being of our students, faculty, staff, alumni and visitors are always our top priorities. We are committed to providing the highest level of professional police and public safety services to foster safe learning and working environments for all. As we carry out our mission, it is my hope that our services and programs will strengthen our connection to the university and DeKalb communities.

Our department is one of the few in the state to be accredited by the Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (ILEAP) in recognition of our policies, practices and procedures which were thoroughly examined and found to meet or exceed the best practices and standards in law enforcement. We are also proud to be a partner with the 30x30 Initiative, a national effort by law enforcement leaders to advance the representation and experiences of women in all ranks of policing across the United States. While this initiative is focused on advancing women in policing, these principles are applicable to all demographic diversity, not just gender. Our NIU Police Department is committed to maintaining a diverse force that reflects the communities we serve.

I am honored to lead an organization that is comprised of so many talented, compassionate and professional employees who are dedicated to meeting the needs of our NIU/DeKalb community. I welcome your feedback on how we can provide better service. To share your comments, suggestions and ideas, please feel free to contact me at 815-753-1212 or dmitchell12@niu.edu. In addition, we are always available for walk-ins at our department located on campus at 395 Wirtz Drive. On behalf of all of us at the NIU Department of Police and Public Safety, thank you for your ongoing support.

Sincerely,

Darren Mitchell, Chief of Police Northern Illinois University

Table of Contents

Mission Statement

Our mission is to serve and protect the university community in support of the advancement of knowledge and student-career and life success. NIU focuses on an educational experience that prepares students with a broad set of rich liberal arts knowledge and skills as well as depth in their disciplinary interests. We intend to see that our students can pursue this experience with an abiding sense of security. We accept our stewardship with pride, serving others with integrity, honor and the highest ethical standards to maintain public confidence and to protect our community. Our department uses a collaborative approach to proactively address public safety issues such as crime and the fear of crime.

Organizational Values

Standards of ethical behavior in law enforcement are based on the commitment to follow core values rooted in the history of policing and public safety. To realize our vision and accomplish our mission, we “C.A.R.E.” and hold these values as our basis for ethically inspired leadership.

• Commitment: We are committed to providing exceptional service to our community through teamwork, engagement and listening in an open exchange of ideas.

• Accountability: We are accountable to our community and will maintain the highest standards of integrity by taking responsibility for our actions and promoting excellence in service to others.

• Respect: We respect the socially rich and diverse people whom we serve by treating all people with fairness and dignity. We also recognize that our greatest resource is our people and that our commitment to excellence in service is achieved by having a work environment of trust and mutual respect.

• Education: We will proactively educate the community in crime prevention and personal safety, empowering people to have a shared responsibility for safety and security in the community.

Organizational Chart

Department Roster

Sergeant

Sergeant

Sergeant

Sergeant

Sergeant

Sergeant

Sergeant

Sergeant

Sergeant

Officer Robert Williams 9/4/12 4/20/23

Officer Junelle Bennett 9/4/12 4/3/23

Detective Coraima Beltran 12/14/15 2/24/23

Officer Dillion Lynch 4/17/23 5/16/23

Officer Edward Bowie 1/3/18 9/18/23

Officer Andrew Sotomayor 12/1/20 6/9/23

Officer Matthew Gibson 3/29/19 10/30/23

New Hires and Promotions

New Hires 2023

Emergency Management and Planning Linda Srygler was hired Aug. 1, 2023.

Patrol/Investigation

Officer Adan Gonzalez was hired May 22, 2023.

Promotions 2023

Commander John Votaw was promoted July 1, 2023.

Not shown:

Katherine Van Fleet hired Jan. 18, 2023.

Stephanie Robinson hired May 1, 2023.

Officer Dillion Lynch hired April 17, 2023.

Officer Andrew Wojcik hired Jan. 3, 2023.

Telecommunicator Mackenzie Myers-Riggs was hired Nov. 30, 2023.

Patrol/Investigation Officers Greg Lumzy, Keonte Caldwell and Ladu Suliman were hired Aug. 23, 2023.

Telecommunicator Brittani Holiday was hired March 27, 2023.

Security Guard Janiya Flowers was hired Nov. 6, 2023.

Composition of the Police Department — 2023

36 Sworn Police Officers Chief of Police (1) Deputy Chief (1) Commander (3) Sergeants (8), to include:

• Patrol Sergeants (5)

• Administrative Sergeants (2)

• Detective Sergeant (1) Officers (25), to include:

• Patrol Officers (21)

• Detectives (3)

• Administrative Officer (1)

The average full-time civilian employee at the NIU Police Department is 41 years old

The average full-time civilian employee has been with the police department for five years

The average NIU police officer is 44 years old.

• The average age of the chief, deputy chief and commanders is 50 years old

• The average time-in-grade for the chief, deputy chief and commanders is three years .

• The average age of the eight sergeants is 49 years old

• The average time-in-grade for the nine sergeants is 13 years

• The average age of the 23 patrol officers is 44 years old . The average NIU police officer has been with the police department for 14 years.

• The average for the chief and commanders is 20 years

• The average for the sergeants is 19 years

• The average for the patrol officers is 10 years . Education.

• 2 - NIU officers have a juris doctor degree.

• 5 - NIU police officers have a master’s degree.

• 17 - NIU police officers have a bachelor’s degree.

• 10 - NIU police officers have some college credits.

15 full-time civilian personnel

• Telecommunications supervisor (1)

• Telecommunicators (7)

• Security guard supervisor (1)

• Security guards (5)

• Emergency management coordinator (1)

Chief’s Office

The Office of the Chief is responsible for protecting the safety and security of NIU students, faculty, staff and visitors as well as the physical campus. The chief works collaboratively with the chief of staff and campus stakeholders to ensure national best practices in campus policing. The chief builds partnerships that focus on enhancing public safety and the quality of life for our community.

Deputy Chief Jason John is responsible for overseeing the police operations of the police department. The deputy chief performs most of the business aspects of the police department to include payroll processing, invoice payment for items purchased and services, and budget preparation and execution. He oversees the emergency management and planning division which is responsible for maintaining the university’s emergency operations plan and implements the National Planning Frameworks, which include prevention, protection, mitigation, response and recovery. The deputy chief also oversees the records division which is responsible for the police department case files, FOIA requests, subpoenas, state’s attorney’s requests and digital recording requests.

Administrative Assistant Jennifer Beasley is primarily responsible for providing support for Chief Darren Mitchell, coordinating with Human Resources regarding hiring for the department and serves as the point of contact for individuals wishing to speak with the chief of police.

Administrative Leadership

Chief Darren Mitchell, Deputy Chief Jason John, Commander Joseph Przybyla, Commander Alan Smith and Commander Larry Ellington provide administrative leadership. Chief Mitchell is tasked with overall leadership and accountability. He serves as chief policymaker and guides the direction of our department. He serves as the primary liaison with the university and university administration. Deputy Chief Jason John is head of police operations. Commander Joseph Przybyla is the day patrol watch commander, oversees the budget and grant writing. Commander Alan Smith is the night patrol watch commander and oversees the records unit. Commander Larry Ellington oversees the Investigations Unit, administrative supervisor, quartermaster, CPTED manager, telecommunications and security guards.

First-line supervision is provided by five patrol sergeants, detective sergeant and three administrative sergeants.

Chief Darren Mitchell

Commander John Votaw

Commander Alan Smith

Deputy Chief Jason John

Sergeant DeMarcus Lindsey

Sergeant Dennis Grant

Sergeant Michael Moore

Sergeant Dan Leifker

Commander Larry Ellington

Sergeant Curtis Young

Sergeant Dathan Jackson

Sergeant Ramon Holland

Sergeant Jason Wright

Telecommunications

The NIU Department of Police and Public Safety (NIU PD) houses one of DeKalb County’s law enforcement dispatch centers. Our telecommunicators (TCs) work as the frontline response for receiving emergency and nonemergency calls for service. The dispatch center is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The unit consists of one supervisor and five TCs.

TCs are responsible for a number of tasks to include but not limited to performing checks of vehicles, persons, items and warrants during traffic stops and investigations; performing administrative support on noncriminal matters; and disseminating safety notifications to students, faculty and staff in the event of safety concerns or other emergencies requiring notification. TCs are the first point of contact when members of the community reach out to the department and are a welcoming and reassuring voice for any assistance needed. ,

Supervisor Colleen Quigley-McAllister

Telecommunicator Charlotte Rangel

Telecommunicator Bill Usilton

Telecommunicator Amu Hoard

Telecommunicator Brieana Myrick

Telecommunicator Julianne Snow

Not shown:

Telecommunicator Brittani Holliday

Telecommunicator Mackenzie Myers-Riggs

Security Guards

The NIU Department of Police and Public Safety (NIU PD) has one security guard supervisor and six security guards. NIU PD security guards are nonsworn members of the department who perform a variety of tasks in support of all sections of the police department. Those tasks include but are not limited to: motorist assists, traffic control, parking enforcement, auxiliary event support, building lockup and child car seat installations. Security guards are always willing to help and are vital to the operations of the NIU PD.

Supervisor Rich Sigler

Security Guard Zion Doke

Security Guard Jonathon O’Donnell

Security Guard Brendan Jimenez

Security Guard Jarrid Matthews

Security Guard John Quillman

Not shown: Security Guard Janiya Flowers

Budget Overview

Training

The Northern Illinois University Police department makes every effort to provide our officers with as much training as reasonably possible. We utilize in-house training, hands-on training, computer-based training (PoliceOne) and training from outside resources including the state’s mobile training units.

In 2023, the NIU Police Department provided approximately 6,278 hours and 28 minutes of training. The training included ILETSB, Executive Institute, Leads, EMS, Sky Warn, Hazmat, Nims, Below 100, defensive tactics, Taser, firearms, use of force and PoliceOne.

NIU Police Department Training 2023

Jan. 1, 2023 to Dec. 31, 2023

Operations Overview

The operations division is the largest, most visible component of the police department and is comprised of the patrol unit. Patrol officers work 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Patrol is divided into four teams that work 12-hour shifts, two during the day and two during the night. Each team is supervised by a sergeant who reports to the patrol watch commander.

Patrol officers have many duties and responsibilities. These include:

• Detect and deter criminal activity.

• Respond to calls for service including crimes in progress.

• Investigate reported crimes and apprehend offenders.

• Enforce traffic laws, increase traffic safety and investigate traffic crashes.

• Enforce NIU Student Conduct rules.

• Enforce city ordinances

• Engage in community outreach and find ways to improve the quality of life for campus community to include students, faculty, staff, parents and guests.

The NIU Dispatch Center answers emergency and nonemergency phone calls, routes calls for service to the officers, maintains the location of the Huskie Student Patrol and security guards. In 2021, the NIU Dispatch Center logged 20,254 events on the NIU campus. The table to the right shows some of the more frequent events.

Community Outreach

National Night Out

The NIU Police Department annually participates in the National Night Out held in DeKalb, Illinois. This provides an opportunity for the NIU Police to meet and greet citizens of the city of DeKalb.

Walk a Mile Event

The NIU PD participated in the Walk a Mile event hosted by Safe Passage on Saturday, April 22. Our officers donned high heels to raise awareness and stand in solidarity with survivors of sexual violence.

Move-in Day

Every August, Northern Illinois University welcomes thousands of students who will be attending NIU for the first time. This is an extremely exciting time for students, parents, family, faculty and staff. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, NIU’s Move-in Day was a one-day experience for all students moving into the residence halls. Due to the pandemic, in August 2020, the Move-in Day experience changed. Now, students make reservations to move in and the process is spread out between four days. The employees of the NIU Police Department are an integral part in the success of these four days. NIU Police Department employees provide traffic control, meet and greet incoming students and family, help push carts to families’ vehicles, provide directions to restaurants and stores, and so much more on this day.

NIU Homecoming

The NIU Police Department can be seen working several events this week including the Homecoming Concert, Yell Like Hell, NIU Volleyball, A Night at Holmes, NIU Football and much more.

Records Management

Jen Beasley and Roberta Schwarz serve as our full-time records clerks. They are the primary point of contact for people who come into the police department lobby. Their duties include filing and maintaining incident reports, entering data into the records management system, responding to subpoenas and freedom of information requests, responding to all digital request forms for body camera video, in-squad camera video and all building surveillance videos, providing the state’s attorney’s office with reports and videos, and providing the NIU Student Conduct Office with approved reports and video.

Jen Beasley Roberta Schwarz

Special Projects and Programs

A.L.I.C.E. Training

The NIU Department of Police and Public Safety proactively teaches the A.L.I.C.E. concepts to mentally prepare our community for violent attacks. Participants in A.L.I.C.E. seminars learn about the actions that everyday people can take to survive a dangerous encounter with a violent intruder.

A.L.I.C.E. is a simple acronym for the following basic life-saving strategies:

• Alert — Notify the people within the danger zone about the life-threatening risk.

• Lockdown — Barricade your area and prepare to evacuate or counter if needed.

• Inform — Relay continuous, accurate information to responders about the incident.

• Counter — Challenge the attacker and regain control (this is the last resort).

• Evacuate — Remove yourself from the area of the threat as soon as it is safe to do so.

BEAST Evidence Management System

In 2022, NIU PD began using the “Crime Fighter BEAST.” This evidencebased software system has enhanced our ability to maintain a robust chain of custody and document evidence movement, as well as secure, locate and dispose of items in an efficient manner.

Child Safety Seat Installation

The NIU Police Department has several employees who are certified child safety seat installers. Our installers will take the time to install your seat correctly for you while they explain the proper use of the child safety seat and why correct installation is so particularly important. You can rest assured that your child will have the best possible protection their safety seat can offer in the event of an accident.

K-9 Unit

The NIU Police Department K-9 Unit is comprised of one canine team. The canine team is certified in explosive ordinance detection and most commonly provides security at large campus events. Our K-9 team also responds to suspicious item calls, bomb threats and can provide a variety of other services.

2021 — K-9 Izzy and Officer York were deployed 11 times.

CPR Classes

The NIU Police Department believes each member of our community can save a life with the proper training. That is why we teach American Heart Association BLS (Basic Life Support) CPR, we want to give you the necessary skills in case a medical emergency arises.

Special Projects and Programs

Lethality Assessment Program

The Lethality Assessment Program, or LAP, is a partnership between local law enforcement and Safe Passage to identify victims of domestic violence who are in high danger of being harmed or killed and link them with domestic violence victim services. While at the scene of domestic violence investigations, officers ask the victim a series of questions designed to identify risk factors. If the answers to these questions indicate positive for specific risk factors, the officer contacts the domestic violence hotline and attempts to get the victim to speak to the on-call advocate.

LAP assessments completed in 2023: 15. Assessments that indicated high danger: 7.

NIU Safe App

Download the NIU Safe App

As part of a recent update to our NIU safety notification system, we launched the new NIU Safe app to replace the Everbridge app. Built on a mobile app platform used by large college campuses across the nation, NIU Safe provides a wide range of new safety features for all students, faculty and staff.

• Apple App Store

• Google Play

Subscribe to NIU Alert Text Messages

Please note: Not all safety notifications are sent via text message; depending on the circumstances, the notification can be distributed via a variety of appropriate channels. Text messages will come from 237233 (BE SAFE). Employees, parents, guardians, spouses and family members, community members and general public, connect with us at: niupd@niu.edu facebook.com/NIU.POLICE.and.PUBLIC.SAFETY twitter.com/niupolice

Mental Health Initiatives

Crisis Intervention Training

Crisis Intervention Training is an in-depth, 40-hour, state-certified course for law enforcement officers. Topics include, but are not limited to:

• Mental illness recognition.

• Child and adolescent disorders.

• Geriatric issues.

• Autism and persons with disabilities.

• Excited delirium.

• Symptoms of PTSD and the police response.

• Substance abuse and dual diagnosis.

• Psychotropic medications.

• Medical conditions that mimic mental illness.

• Law enforcement compliant surrender.

• Risk assessment and crisis intervention skills.

Thirty-four NIU Police Officers have been certified through the weeklong course.

Employee Wellness Checks

Northern Illinois University provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that all employees of NIU can use free of charge. EAP provides confidential assistance to employees and their families by providing counseling, coaching and training services. NIU Police Department employees conduct biannual appointments with an EAP counselor. These appointments provide personnel the opportunity to discuss current strategies for coping with job-related stressors and provide additional ideas to manage future stressors.

Evidence Management

Officers Zimberoff and Campbell maintain the NIU Police Department evidence room. Officer Zimberoff has been the evidence manager since 2004. These officers are responsible for the intake of evidence collected by officers, storing the evidence and then overseeing the proper disposal of the evidence when it is no longer needed. These officers also transport the evidence to and from the state laboratory.

Evidence Intake and Disposal

On Jan. 1, 2023, the evidence room had 1,546 items. From Jan. 1, 2023, until Dec. 31, 2023, 97 new pieces of evidence were entered into evidence. During this same time period, we were able to dispose of 493 items. As of Jan. 1, 2024, the evidence room currently contains 1,150 items.

Body-worn Cameras

In February 2020, a body-worn camera test group was initiated at the NIU Police Department. Officers in the test group were the first to utilize the Axon body-worn cameras to report on how often the body-worn camera was activated during their shift, if there were any technical issues that occurred during use, if the weather or lighting conditions affected the recording, if the officer experienced an officer safety issue with the use of the body-worn

SAFE-T Act

camera or if they experienced an officer safety benefit with the use of the body-worn camera. After the initial utilization phase, each officer went through departmentwide training, in person and online, regarding the use of the body-worn camera. Effective Jan. 1, 2021, every NIU police officer has been assigned their own body-worn camera to use during their tour of duty.

On Feb. 22, 2021, Governor Pritzker signed the SAFE-T Act. On May 31, 2021, Trailer Bill 1 passed, modifying the SAFE-T Act. On Jan. 5, 2022, Trailer Bill 2 passed, modifying the SAFE-T Act again. On Jan. 7, 2022, Governor Pritzker signed Trailer Bill 2, which allowed some provisions that were effective Jan. 1, 2022, were moved back to July 1, 2022. Below is a list of the changes that will be implemented:

• Maintain police misconduct records permanently.

• Death in Custody Act — requires agencies to report when a person dies while in custody or as the result of a peace officer’s use of force.

• Body camera use and procedures.

• Additional monthly reporting on mental health crises and use of force to ISP.

• Mandatory reporting to the FBI National Use of Force database.

• Use of force procedures and training.

• Certification and decertification of police officers.

• Booking procedures regarding phone calls by arrestees.

• Definitions regarding offenses of obstructing and resisting police.

• Citations in lieu of custodial arrests for traffic offenses and class B and class C misdemeanors.

• Bail reform.

Different sections of this law become mandatory on different dates over the next few years, and more modifications may be forthcoming.

Investigations

The NIU Police Department Investigations Unit is comprised of three detectives and one detective sergeant. The public safety operations commander oversees this unit. Our detectives are assigned to general crimes and have additional training in a multitude of topics up to and including death investigations. This means each detective can manage a low complexity crime such as a theft or a more complex crime such as a criminal sexual assault and be well-versed in all aspects of the investigation. The detectives prepare their investigations for court with the victim’s cooperation and frequently obtain search warrants and arrest warrants. The Investigations

Unit participates in the DeKalb County Major Case Squad. The DCMCS is a collection of all the Investigations Units within DeKalb County.

Detective Sergeant Michael Moore

Detective Menelek Shaw

Detective Daniel Mojica

NIU Police Report Information Flow

Report of incident.

Re-contact reporting party.

Notification of case status, court or internal case disposition.

Arrest of o ender.

No further action.

Cleared by various exceptions or referrals.

Documentation and initial investigation.

Follow-up.

Interview witnesses, gather evidence, further documentation.

2023 Major Cases for NIU PD

Unauthorized Video Recording

In February, a residence hall resident video-recorded another resident without permission. The offender was arrested for Unauthorized Video Recording.

Residential Burglary/Robbery

In October, three individuals entered a residence floor without permission to take property from another individual. The three suspects were arrested for Residential Burglary and Robbery.

Unlawful Use of Weapon

In October, an individual attending an NIU football game reported finding a gun in a portable toilet. The weapon’s owner was located and charged with Unauthorized storage of a Weapon, Possession of a Concealed Weapon while intoxicated, Reckless Conduct, and Possession of Cannabis more than 10 grams and less than 50 grams.

Reckless Conduct/Unauthorized Storage of a Weapon

In December, an officer found a vehicle unattended with the driver’s side door open. Inside the car, in plain view, was a black handgun. The vehicle’s owner arrived a short time later, and while he had a valid FOID card, they did not have a concealed carry license. The owner was arrested for Unauthorized Possession or storage of a Weapon and Reckless Conduct.

Uniform Crime Reports

In 2021, all of the police departments in Illinois were required to switch from the traditional crime reporting system known as Illinois Uniform Crime Reporting (IUCR) to the federal standards outlined in the National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS). The new system seeks to collect uniform crime data from difference states to provide more comprehensive and detailed crime statistics.

Crime Statistics (NIBRS)

Arrest Statistics (NIBRS)

Department of Police and Public Safety Awards Ceremony 2023

The department has a policy of acknowledging exceptional performance, acts of service, achievements, selflessness and courage by its employees and community members who help the department fulfill its mission by presenting them with awards. Congratulations to all our 2023 department award recipients.

Honorable Mentions

Zion Doke

Julia Garcia-Martinez

Dennis Grant

Dathan Jackson

David Jadran

Brendan Jimenez

Jarrid Matthews

Dan Mojica

Michael Moore

Jon O’Donnell

Menelek Shaw

Rich Sigler

Larry Williams

Cindy Zimberoff

Commendation Awards

Julia Garcia-Martinez

Colleen McAllister

Daniel Mojica

Michael Moore

Jon O’Donnell

Menelek Shaw

Larry Williams

Community Service Award

Menelek Shaw

Citizen Appreciation Award

Cody Ainsley

Gigi Beaird

Vicki Wronkowski

Employee of the Year

Rich Sigler

Officer of the Year

Cindy Zimberoff

Supervisor of the Year

Jason Wright

Chief’s Award

Jason John

John Votaw

Northern Illinois University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. Printed by authority of the state of Illinois. niu.edu 56095 4/24