Public Safety is transitioning its office from near Facilities off campus to the Reveal residence hall. Both Public Safety and Bob Jones University administration support the decision.
“There has been a strong push for this move in the last couple of years,” said David Champ, commander of Public Safety. “We’ve given a lot of thought to it, but the best location is to be on campus.”
Champ explained that Public Safety offices were originally near the front entrance and then moved near Facilities. Their relocation to Reveal was planned to occur after commencement in 2025 but was delayed due to unfinished work in Reveal. The new Reveal Public Safety offices will be near Student Care and Student Health Services.
With an on-campus office, Public Safety can be more central and present.
“We’re student-facing,” Champ said. “That’s where we need to be.”
An officer on campus enables quicker response times to calls, enhances safety and increases accessibility to the student body. Public Safety secures the main campus as well as the Press, Elementary School, Primary Center and Campus View Apartments. It also provides assistance to protect Greenville Downtown Airport.
Champ described the role of Public Safety as to “provide security for the campus and support the mission of BJU.” Public Safety accomplishes this role through many different practices, including vehicle and foot patrols, providing first aid and CPR. Public Safety also conducts safety maintenance and provides student assistance in various ways, like vehicle lockouts, flat tires and getting stuck off campus.
Public Safety members are South Carolina Law Enforcement Division security officers trained by the state. SLED training involves first aid, CPR and pepper spray training, as well as how to handle situations with mental health patients or homeless individuals. Public Safety consists of six full-time supervisors and 14 students, with two night-watch officers and four patrol officers. A group of faculty members with SLED training carry weapons, but the student officers do not.
The role of Public Safety is connected to the overall mission of BJU. “We have opportunities to encourage our staff officers in our walks with the Lord,” Champ said. He loves building relationships with the students, faculty and staff. Public Safety also participates in ministry by giving food and tracts to the homeless.
Champ compared the ministry of Public Safety to the building of Jerusalem’s wall in Nehemiah, where the workers held a tool in one hand and a weapon in the other. Public Safety is prepared to protect the campus but also serve the community. It used to be part of the Greenville EMS system, running an ambulance out of the campus hospital, both on and off campus. Because of its qualifications as part of the EMS system and fire department, SLED gave Public Safety its title. It is rare for a university security to have this title because of the requirements to achieve and sustain this position. While Public Safety no longer runs these operations, SLED allowed Public Safety to continue with this title.
Public Safety participates in the law enforcement leadership luncheon, a monthly meetup of police forces from all over the Upstate. Sometimes BJU hosts this luncheon, and the culinary department provides the meal. This relationship, especially with the local city police, is positive and vital to the role of Public Safety, Champ said. For instance, while Public Safety handles campus safety, any criminal matters must be reported to and handled by Greenville Police. Greenville Police often use Barge as a training facility, providing a venue for practice and additional protection for campus.
The ultimate mission of Public Safety is to protect the student body. Champ assured students that “we’re going to help in any way that we can” and “we’re not trying to make life difficult for anyone.” Public Safety is constantly working to protect a safe environment for the students and faculty at BJU.
