Skip to main content
Appalachian Today
News and events at Appalachian State University
  • For the media
  • Archives
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Videos
  • Galleries
  • In the Media
  • Grants
  • Speakers
  • All Posts
  • Topics
  • Accolades
  • Alumni
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Athletics
  • Awards and Honors
  • Community Engagement
  • Diversity
  • Events
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Gifts and Grants
  • Global
  • Health and Wellness
  • Publications
  • Research
  • Safety
  • Scholarships
  • Students
  • Sustainability
☰ Menu
  • Events
  • Videos
  • Galleries
  • In the Media
  • Grants
  • Speakers
  • All Posts
  • Topics
  • For the media
  • Archives
  • Contact
  • The university remains open, with emergency management protocols activated and operational modifications and precautions in place. Read the latest updates

Appalachian Police Department named among top 25 in the nation for student safety

View larger image

Safe Campus: The National Campus Safety Summit recognized the Appalachian State University Police Department as one of the top 25 university departments in the country making a difference in student safety. Photo by Chase Reynolds

“It’s fantastic when the efforts of our employees are acknowledged on this level.”

Andy Stephenson, Appalachian’s director of public safety and chief of police

By Megan Bruffy
Posted Feb. 10, 2020 at 2:15 p.m.
Last updated April 29, 2020 at 9:10 a.m.

BOONE, N.C. — Safe Campus: The National Campus Safety Summit has named the Appalachian State University Police Department (APD) as one of the top 25 university departments in the country. The ranked universities were cited for “increasing the safety and security of their campus community” and “making a difference in student safety.” The APD was ranked No. 18.

“It’s fantastic when the efforts of our employees are acknowledged on this level.”

Andy Stephenson, Appalachian’s director of public safety and chief of police

Andy Stephenson, Appalachian’s director of public safety and chief of police, thanked the organization for recognizing APD’s efforts to enhance its programs and services. “It’s fantastic when the work of our employees is acknowledged on this level,” he said.

Stephenson extended his appreciation for the “outstanding APD officers” and for the “unprecedented support” the department has received from Appalachian Chancellor Sheri Everts, Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs Paul Forte and the entire university administration.

View larger image

Officer Cashae Cook, center, takes a moment to chat with students in Appalachian’s Roess Dining Hall. Photo by Chase Reynolds

View larger image

Officer Cintya Garcia extends a helping hand to a fallen bicyclist, as Lt. Daniel Harless calls in the incident to dispatch. Photo by Chase Reynolds

View larger image

Appalachian Police Officer Kevin Wilson with K9 partner Officer Yaya, who joined the campus police force in March. As the first explosives detection and tracking dog in the region, she will play a significant role in special events safety on campus and be available to help other agencies in the area through mutual aid requests. Photo by Marie Freeman

View larger image

Officer Bryce Helms ’19, a criminal justice major and the first Appalachian Police Officer Development Program (APDP) cadet to be offered a position as a full-time police officer with the Appalachian State University Police Department, patrols through Cascades Cafe in the Plemmons Student Union. Photo by Marie Freeman

View larger image

Left to right, Lt. Michael Baker, Officer Cashae Cook and Capt. Johnny Brown sport pink badges during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Photo by Marie Freeman

View larger image

The inaugural Law Enforcement Agency of the Year Award presented to the Appalachian State University Police Department by the North Carolina Police Executives Association (NCPEA) in 2019.

View larger image

Appalachian State University Police Department officers are well liked by students. A group of students take a selfie photo with Officer Amber Stanley-Swift while she patrols inside the university’s Belk Library and Information Commons. Photo by Marie Freeman

View larger image

Officer Jaime Ippolito patrols campus on foot on a sunny day inside Appalachian’s Plemmons Student Union. Photo by Chase Reynolds

View larger image
View larger image
View larger image
View larger image
View larger image
View larger image
View larger image
View larger image

Appalachian was ranked among universities such as the University of Minnesota, Florida Atlantic University, University of Tennessee, University of Houston, Miami University and University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Safe Campus: The National Campus Safety Summit — the premier conference on university and college safety — is scheduled for late February in Las Vegas. The summit anticipates attendance by more than 100 universities as well as officials representing the FBI, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Education, Department of Justice and State Emergency Management Agencies.

This recognition comes less than a year after another significant honor. In summer 2019, the North Carolina Police Executives Association named APD as the Law Enforcement Agency of the Year, primarily for its Appalachian Police Officer Development Program (APDP) — the second of its kind in the nation and the only such program in North Carolina.

Students who complete the two-year APDP become sworn police officers while simultaneously earning their bachelor’s or master’s degrees. The program is offered free of charge for full-time Appalachian students, regardless of major. Students receive payment for their training hours and part-time work as cadets and police officers with APD.

See the full rankings list.

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

National Police Week
National Police Week

National Police Week occurs every May and draws 25,000 to 40,000 attendees in Washington D.C. The event began in 1982 with the first National Peace Officers Memorial Service to honor fallen officers and their families. It has since grown into a series of events that attract thousands of law enforcement supporters from around the world.

Learn more
Appalachian Police Department
Appalachian Police Department

The Appalachian State University Police Department (APD) supports the university’s academic mission by working in partnership with the campus community to prevent crime, solve problems and improve the quality of life on campus. The department’s philosophy is one of proactive community engagement, collaboration and customer service, holding the safety and health of Appalachian’s community members as its top priorities.

APD’s services
  • 24-hour patrol services (foot, vehicle and bicycle).
  • Criminal investigations.
  • Campus special events staffing and traffic control.
  • SWAT (in partnership with area law enforcement).
  • K-9 program.
  • Motorcycle patrol and escort program.
  • Appalachian Police Officer Development Program (APDP).
  • Crime alerts.
  • Victims assistance services.
  • General public assistance.
  • Public education (Active Aggressor Response Training, Rape Aggressor Training and Alcohol and Drug Awareness).
  • Public relations events.
  • Clery Act compliance.
  • Mountaineer Safe Ride.
  • Vehicle and lockout assistance.
  • Bike registration.
  • Lost and found.
  • Internships and work-study program.
  • Ride-along program.
Learn more
Appalachian Police Officer Development Program
Appalachian Police Officer Development Program

The Appalachian Police Officer Development Program (APDP), the only program of its kind in North Carolina, is a two-year program designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills and training to become law enforcement officers, all while they are completing their undergraduate or graduate degrees at Appalachian State University.

Learn more
Appalachian Police Academy celebrates second graduating class
Appalachian Police Academy celebrates second graduating class
Oct. 1, 2019

Appalachian Police Academy celebrates its second graduating class and the graduates’ 100% pass rate on the North Carolina police officer certification exam.

Read the story
App State Police Department honored as NCPEA Law Enforcement Agency of the Year
App State Police Department honored as NCPEA Law Enforcement Agency of the Year
July 25, 2019

Appalachian State University’s Police Department was recognized as the Law Enforcement Agency of the Year by the North Carolina Police Executives Association for its Appalachian Police Officer Development Program.

Read the story
APDP cadet Bayley Plummer gives her all in the classroom, on the court and in the community
APDP cadet Bayley Plummer gives her all in the classroom, on the court and in the community
July 11, 2019

Plummer, who works as a part-time APDP cadet on campus, balances her academic and athletic career as a graduate student in Appalachian’s MPA program.

Read the story
With App State Police, Madison Cook follows in family footsteps of service
With App State Police, Madison Cook follows in family footsteps of service
Dec. 12, 2018

The junior criminal justice-international studies major is a member of the first class of Appalachian’s two-year Police Officer Development Program, which was created to equip Appalachian students with the knowledge, skills and training to become law enforcement officers.

Read the story

About the Appalachian Police Department

Appalachian State University’s official policing agency — the Appalachian Police Department — supports the university’s academic mission by working in partnership with the campus community to prevent crime, solve problems and improve the quality of life on campus. The department’s philosophy is one of proactive community engagement, collaboration and customer service, holding the safety and health of App State’s community members as its top priorities. State-certified police officers, security officers and civilian employees comprise the department, and this team of professionals helps to create and maintain an inclusive sense of belonging for all members of the Appalachian Community — students, faculty, staff and visitors. Additionally, through its efforts, the department aims to be a leader in innovative public safety ideas and strategies. Learn more at https://police.appstate.edu.

About the Appalachian Police Officer Development Program

The two-year Appalachian Police Officer Development Program (APDP) at Appalachian State University — the second of its kind in the nation and the only such program in North Carolina — equips students with the knowledge, skills and training to become certified law enforcement officers in North Carolina, while simultaneously earning their undergraduate or graduate degrees. Students become cadets in their first year of the program and have the opportunity to complete the Appalachian State University Police Academy during their second year to become sworn North Carolina police officers. The program is open to all full-time students, regardless of major, and students receive an hourly wage for the part-time work and training they complete with the Appalachian Police Department (APD). Learn more at https://police.appstate.edu/apdp.

About the Appalachian Police Academy

The Appalachian Police Academy, also known as “the academy,” is an annual, 16-week training program held each summer on Appalachian’s campus in which participants in the Appalachian Police Officer Development Program (APDP) have the opportunity to earn their credentials as certified North Carolina police officers. The academy partners closely with Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute’s Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) program and covers all state-mandated training topics. APDP participants attend the academy full time between the first and second year of the program and are paid for their time in training. After graduating from the academy, they may begin working with the Appalachian Police Department as sworn part-time police officers for the second year of the program while they earn their degrees at Appalachian. Learn more at https://police.appstate.edu/apdp.

About Appalachian State University

As the premier public undergraduate institution in the state of North Carolina, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls more than 20,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.

“It’s fantastic when the efforts of our employees are acknowledged on this level.”

Andy Stephenson, Appalachian’s director of public safety and chief of police

National Police Week
National Police Week

National Police Week occurs every May and draws 25,000 to 40,000 attendees in Washington D.C. The event began in 1982 with the first National Peace Officers Memorial Service to honor fallen officers and their families. It has since grown into a series of events that attract thousands of law enforcement supporters from around the world.

Learn more
Appalachian Police Department
Appalachian Police Department

The Appalachian State University Police Department (APD) supports the university’s academic mission by working in partnership with the campus community to prevent crime, solve problems and improve the quality of life on campus. The department’s philosophy is one of proactive community engagement, collaboration and customer service, holding the safety and health of Appalachian’s community members as its top priorities.

APD’s services
  • 24-hour patrol services (foot, vehicle and bicycle).
  • Criminal investigations.
  • Campus special events staffing and traffic control.
  • SWAT (in partnership with area law enforcement).
  • K-9 program.
  • Motorcycle patrol and escort program.
  • Appalachian Police Officer Development Program (APDP).
  • Crime alerts.
  • Victims assistance services.
  • General public assistance.
  • Public education (Active Aggressor Response Training, Rape Aggressor Training and Alcohol and Drug Awareness).
  • Public relations events.
  • Clery Act compliance.
  • Mountaineer Safe Ride.
  • Vehicle and lockout assistance.
  • Bike registration.
  • Lost and found.
  • Internships and work-study program.
  • Ride-along program.
Learn more
Appalachian Police Officer Development Program
Appalachian Police Officer Development Program

The Appalachian Police Officer Development Program (APDP), the only program of its kind in North Carolina, is a two-year program designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills and training to become law enforcement officers, all while they are completing their undergraduate or graduate degrees at Appalachian State University.

Learn more

Share

Topics

  • Accolades
  • Safety

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

The migration of materials from other sites is still incomplete, so if you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • University media releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015
  • Additional feature stories may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Photo galleries and videos published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian

Share

Topics

  • Accolades
  • Safety

Other Recent Posts

  • App State coronavirus information
    App State coronavirus information
  • App State alumnus produces news to keep Kentuckians informed
    App State alumnus produces news to keep Kentuckians informed
  • App State to conduct full test of its emergency notification system Feb. 3
    App State to conduct full test of its emergency notification system Feb. 3
  • App State transfer student has a ‘Head Start’ on her career
    App State transfer student has a ‘Head Start’ on her career
  • Ways to honor Martin Luther King Jr. — service during COVID-19
    Ways to honor Martin Luther King Jr. — service during COVID-19
  • App State senior awarded spring 2021 Rogers and Janice Whitener Scholarship for creative writing
    App State senior awarded spring 2021 Rogers and Janice Whitener Scholarship for creative writing
  • Ask the Experts [faculty featured]
    Ask the Experts [faculty featured]
    Wallet Hub
  • Grant-supported App State project explores relationship between religious studies and public issues
    Grant-supported App State project explores relationship between religious studies and public issues
  • First-generation App State student hammers out a new perspective
    First-generation App State student hammers out a new perspective
  • Magical moments in hospitality brought this Mountaineer to App State
    Magical moments in hospitality brought this Mountaineer to App State
  • A return ‘home’ for The Appalachian News Adviser Allison Bennett Dyche
    A return ‘home’ for The Appalachian News Adviser Allison Bennett Dyche
  • Perspective | NC COVID-19 Student Response Corps: Strengthening the talent pipeline to public service [staff quoted]
    Perspective | NC COVID-19 Student Response Corps: Strengthening the talent pipeline to public service [staff quoted]
    EdNC

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

The migration of materials from other sites is still incomplete, so if you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • University media releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015
  • Additional feature stories may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Photo galleries and videos published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
  • Events
  • Videos
  • Galleries
  • In the Media
  • Grants
  • Speakers
  • All Posts
  • Topics
  • For the media
  • Archives
  • Contact

Appalachian State University

Copyright 2021 Appalachian State University. All rights reserved.

University Communications
ASU Box 32153
Boone, NC 28608
828-262-6156
ucomm@appstate.edu

Abouts

Disclaimer | EO Policy | Website manager: montaldi | Website Feedback

Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram LinkedIn Snapchat