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Emergency Communications Center

A minimum of three certified professional communications officers are on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at the VCU Police Emergency Communications Center to provide communications support to the department and the community. Dispatchers respond to all calls for service and coordinate the efforts of police officers, contract security officers and  MCV Campus Security Escort Service staff, all of whom are monitored and dispatched throughout each shift.

State-of-the-art computer and access control systems allow dispatchers to speak with the caller while the call is simultaneously being dispatched to police for assistance. The dispatchers also continually monitor the LiveSafe Application as well as multiple other systems for incoming information and requests for police response. When calling for service or an emergency, please assist the dispatcher by being prepared to respond to the following:

  • What is the address of your emergency?
  • What is the phone number you are calling from?
  • Explain exactly what happened.

The Emergency Communications Center also serves as a general information center for the University. Communications Officers provide directions, bus schedules, information on campus events and other miscellaneous information to the community.

The Emergency Communications Center is located inside VCU Police Headquarters at 224 E. Broad Street. The Broad Street entrance to VCU Police Headquarters is open to the general public 24 hours a day to report emergency or non-emergency needs. Use the intercom at that entrance to speak with a dispatcher. Our staff members are always willing to help.

  • VCU Police (emergency numbers): (804) 828-1234 or (804) 828-4357 / (VCU-HELP) 
  • VCU Police (non-emergency numbers): (804) 828-1196 or (804) 828-2677 / (VCU-COPS)
  • MCV Campus Security Escort Service: (804) 828-9255 / (828-WALK)

Emergency Response Telephone System

There are currently more than 350 ERTS phones located throughout both campuses and satellite properties. The ERTS phones connect directly with VCU Police Emergency Communications Center. Most ERTS phones have a flashing yellow strobe light above them; others have blue lights. In some buildings, they are red wall phones.