University of Zululand Protective Services Department

About Us

The Protective Services Department (PSD) at UNIZULU was set up to assist the University in executing its mission of ensuring a safe and secure environment that is conductive to teaching and learning. With more than 80 staff members at the KwaDlangezwa and Richards Bay Campuses, the Department has made great strides in crime prevention on campus through increased visibility of uniformed officers, satellite stations, community engagement as well as institutional campaigns.

Mission

To protect lives, property and reputation and create a campus environment wherein effective teaching, learning, research and community work can take place.

Responsibilities

Safety and security of the University of Zululand’s campus community is the primary responsibility of PSD. The Department aims to ensure a safe and secure environment on campus in which quality teaching, learning and research can be done. The Department provides a seven day, 24-hour patrol and guarding service on the campuses, residences, extensive grounds as well as areas immediately adjacent to the campus by foot, vehicles and four-wheeler bikes. The Department also has ten (10) Student Crime Prevention Officers who assist with and report any problems in the residences and University functions.
This is done through proactive policing where we anticipate what can go wrong and what steps we take to ensure that this does not happen, crime prevention techniques and tactics, CCTV surveillance, physical barriers (walls, fences, burglar bars), marking of University property, patrolling with shifts on a 24/7 basis, good lighting, crime intelligence system to get forewarning of potential problems, enforcement of the carrying of ID cards by staff and students as well as reactive policing.
The arresting of offenders and preparation of prosecution documentation is done in liaison with the South African Police Service and other government agencies that have an interest in managing crime and wrongdoing.

Objectives

• To protect persons on campus through proactive law enforcement and promote safe and secure environment.
• To address issues that impede and/or disrupt the orderly operation of the University’s academic efforts.
• To protect the University’s property and that of the campus community by initiating police action including (enforcing laws, regulations, staff and student discipline codes as well as arresting offenders where lawful) and the education of the campus community concerning crime prevention methods.
• To protect the University’s reputation by initiating action to deter acts or omissions that can, or have the potential to, damage the good name of the University.
• To minimise liability and hazards to the University and the campus community.

24/7 Interactive Approach

PSD is interactive in its approach and has implemented innovative ways to curb crime. In addition to daily patrol and protection services, the Department facilitates trauma counselling and emergency medical care.