Established in 1991, the CUNY Public Safety Department was created to further ensure that those who attend any of the CUNY institutions do so in a safe and comfortable environment.

CUNY Public Safety Officers are sworn Peace Officers and have arrest authority granted them by the City of New York. They are designated as New York State Peace Officers in accordance with Section 2.10, subsection 27 of the New York State Criminal Procedure Law. Campus Peace Officers (CPO) undergo four months of training at York College, where they receive training pertaining to servicing the college community and how to effectively handle situations which may occur on a college campus and in the surrounding community. Campus Security Assistants (CSA) are employed as security guards in accordance with Article 7A of the General Business Law. CSA’s do not have arrest authority above that of a private citizen.

All Hunter College Department of Public Safety personnel wear distinctive uniforms and carry two-way radios. Additionally, the college has several New York State Certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT's) to respond to medical emergencies on the Main Campus. These personnel are trained in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other emergency response procedures.

Students, staff and faculty are encouraged to report all public safety concerns to this department. In 2005, a mechanism has been added to the Hunter Public Safety web page which allows the college community to report crimes anonymously, known as Silent Witness. At the present time, pastoral and professional counselors do not have to inform the persons that they are counseling to report crimes on a voluntary, confidential basis.

The Director of the Public Safety Department is Mr. Louis J. Mader, who has an extensive public safety background. Mr. Mader is assisted in the daily operations of the Department by a Deputy Director, Mr. Richard Meier. The Public Safety staff includes three Lieutenants, six Sergeants, seven Corporals, six Specialists, 39 Campus Peace Officers, and 52 Campus Security Assistants. The staff maintains several “fixed” posts, a 24 hour communications center, as well as roving patrols.

The Hunter College Public Safety Department also maintains a strong working relationship with the City of New York Police Department (NYPD) as well as county, state and federal authorities and the City of New York Fire Department.

NOTE: The Hunter College Department of Public Safety does not monitor or provide security at any off-campus events; or for any off-campus organizations and/or residences not owned by Hunter College.