External law enforcement investigations may sometimes require officers to come to Drexel University’s campus. Drexel Public Safety maintains open lines of communication with local, state and federal law enforcement and expects to be notified in advance of any such activity. If an officer from any law enforcement agency – federal, state or local – were to arrive on campus or other University property and seek to engage with you or enter your workplace or classroom, without being accompanied by Drexel Police, you are advised to call Drexel Public Safety at 215.895.2222. Our Drexel Police officers are here to liaise with other law enforcement agencies (and relevant University partners) and ensure that any actions they take comply with lawful processes, such as the production of a warrant or court order, if necessary.

This page provides further guidance for faculty and professional staff for responding to potential visits, calls and other forms of outreach from an officer or agent of any law enforcement agency – federal, state or local.

What To Do If Law Enforcement Visits Your Area

If an officer or agent from any law enforcement agency – federal, state or local – arrives on University property and seeks to engage with you or enter your workplace, without being accompanied by Drexel Police, you or your supervisor should immediately call Drexel Public Safety (DPS) at 215.895.2222.

You should calmly and professionally inform the officer or agent that, due to Drexel’s protocol, you are contacting Drexel Public Safety and that you are not authorized to provide information on students, employees or patients or access to non-public areas (i.e., areas that require authorization before entry) without approval. Assure them that their inquiry will be handled promptly. DPS, in collaboration with the Office of the General Counsel and other University partners as needed, will determine the type of request and how the request needs to be handled.

Similarly, if you receive a call from a law enforcement agency, let them know that you are not authorized to provide any information without approval from your supervisor. Inform the agent that you will put them on hold while you alert your supervisor. If your supervisor is not available, call DPS yourself. DPS should handle all such calls from outside law enforcement agencies.

What You Should NOT Do:

• Do not interfere with the process
• Do not destroy or attempt to hide documents
• Do not provide false information

Federal law prohibits hiding evidence, concealing individuals who are the targets of law enforcement (including immigration enforcement), or interfering with an arrest. Drexel community members should never physically interfere with enforcement or do anything to put themselves in physical or legal danger.

What You Have the Right to Do

If you wish to gather more information before or after calling DPS, you have the right to ask for the agent’s or officer’s name, badge number or ID, and/or telephone number. You also have the right to ask if the agents have a warrant and to see that warrant. However, Drexel’s protocol is for DPS to handle such interactions. You also have the right to remain silent other than to inform the officer(s) that you are calling DPS so they can handle the request.

If you have any questions or concerns about these procedures, please contact Drexel Public Safety at dps@drexel.edu or 215.895.2222.