About Us
As a university police agency, we are committed to working with all our stakeholders to maintain a safe environment which supports the academic mission of the University, and the health and wellness of the community. Our department is comprised of law enforcement and civilian professionals who recognize the importance of a guardian-centric approach. In action, this philosophy prioritizes education over enforcement whenever reasonably possible. By collaborating with a variety of university resources, this holistic approach places emphasis on student retention and student success, without compromising safety.
While the department’s primary focus is on safety and security of CSU’s campus, CSUPD maintains close working relationships with all public safety agencies within Larimer County as well as state and federal law enforcement agencies. Officers have full law enforcement authority on all university and state-owned property, as well as the city of Fort Collins and Larimer County. CRS 16-2.5-148
Letter from the Chief
Dear CSU Community,
At Colorado State University Police Department, our guiding principle is simple: Service First. Safety Always. Every member of our team is here because we believe in being more than responders. We believe in being Guardians, people who care deeply about this community and who see safety as something we create together.
For us, safety isn’t just about reacting when something goes wrong. It’s about education, prevention, and connection. It’s about helping students succeed, supporting one another, and making sure everyone who comes to CSU feels welcome, included, and protected. We know that when people feel safe, they can focus on learning, growing, and enjoying everything this campus has to offer.
That’s why we take a holistic approach to safety, one that combines proactive policing with compassion and collaboration. Our team partners with students, faculty, and staff to identify concerns early, to provide resources, and to find solutions that strengthen the well-being of our entire campus.
Every day, I see our officers, dispatchers, and staff live out these values whether they’re checking in on a student in need, mentoring through education, or simply stopping to share a friendly conversation. These small moments build trust, and trust builds the kind of community where everyone thrives.
As we look ahead, CSUPD remains focused on prevention, partnership, and continuous growth. We’ll keep finding new ways to support our students’ success and to ensure that safety at CSU continues to mean more than just security, it means care, connection, and confidence in the people who serve you.
Thank you for being our partners in keeping this university community safe and strong.
Stacey Clement
Chief of Police
Colorado State University Police Department
Training & Certifications
All CSU police officers are state certified through the Colorado Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) board and are commissioned by the CSU Board of Governors. Officers must successfully complete or challenge a POST-approved basic law enforcement academy prior to being appointed.
Upon successful completion of the academy, all new CSUPD officers complete an additional 280 hours of in-service training prior to working in the field, followed by least 600 hours of one-on-one field training with experienced officers. Officers must successfully complete a one-year probationary period.
The Colorado POST board requires all officers to complete at least 24 hours of ongoing training during each calendar year, including 12 hours in the areas of perishable skills (arrest control, driving and firearms). CSUPD officers exceed this standard by completing approximately 80 hours of scheduled in-service training per year, with several officers completing over 200 hours annually, depending on assignment.
In order to serve our whole community ongoing training topics include, but are not limited to fair & impartial policing, crisis management and de-escalation, constitutional law, American Red Cross CPR/AED, emergency trauma care, active assailant response, emergency vehicle operation, community problem solving, serving at-risk populations, Clery Act, family violence, crime scene investigation, accident reconstruction, site assessment, leadership, and many others.