SLU DPS

04/16/2026

Do you know the difference between a Tornado Watch and Tornado Warning?

A TORNADO WATCH mean be prepared. A Tornado Watch is issued when a tornado is possible. Know your safe place, such as a basement, or interior hall away from windows on the lowest level of a sturdy building and be prepared to act if a Warning is issued.

A TORNADO WARNING means take action! A Tornado Warning is issued when a tornado is happening or about to happen. Immediately seek shelter in your safe place!

SLU's Emergency Alert system is directly linked to the National Weather Service, and a Tornado warning will automatically go out if we are in the impacted area.

03/03/2026

SPOTLIGHT: We are proud to share that Officer Larkin was awarded an Award of Excellence for Exceptional Performance on Duty by Captain Karnowski of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department for his proactive efforts in assisting with the location of a critically missing elderly woman.

Pictured: SGT Lalor(DPS), Officer Larkin(DPS), Captain Karnowaski(SLMPD), and Major Hatcher(DPS).

02/26/2026

⛳️ Why do DPS pants have so many pockets?

In case they get a hole in one!

Officer Hall, Officer Skiles, and Trixie participating in the Billiken Bounty fundraiser!

10/24/2025

Let's check in with a few

1. Officer Tammy Thomas is now a police officer in Ferguson, MO
2. Officer Ethan Dobbs is now a police officer for St. Louis Community College.
3. Officer Floyd Padgett is now the Security Manager for Logan University
4. Captain Michael Parkinson is now the Director of Safety and Security for the Clayton school district

Congratulations to our former teammates!

07/03/2025

Associate Vice President for Public Safety, Chief Melinda Heikkinen was recently published in Security Management Magazine! Check out the article

https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/05/mass-protests/campus-protest-slu/

The October 2023 Hamas attack in Israel and its aftermath sparked a new era of campus free expression and protest. Many institutions, including Saint Louis University, had to grapple with how to respond.

01/18/2025

It is with heavy hearts that we share the unfortunate news of the death of Officer Anthony "Tony" Geisel.

Tony was a special part of the DPS team, known and loved by all. For more than 26 years he blessed the SLU community with his smile and his jokes. Commonly found working in the student center, the BSC will never be the same without him greeting everyone that came through the door. Our hearts break for Tony's loved ones and the countless people whose lives he touched.

Officer Anthony Geisel, End of Watch January 15, 2025.

11/11/2024

Our staff come from a variety of backgrounds, today we take the time to celebrate the US Military veterans in our department!

Pictured:
Chief Melinda Heikkinen- United States Marine Corps(6 years), Army National Guard(16 years)

Officer Patrick Johnson- United States Army (10 years) and Checkers(Military Working Dog)

Officer Kevin McCandless- United States Air Force (6 years)

Officer Tray Larkin- United States Army (9years), currently US Air Force (3 years)

Officer Dustin Blair- United States Army (3 years)

Officer Vincent Alexander- United States Army (8years)

Officer Brian Wilson- United States Navy

Not photographed:
Lieutenant Vince Ray-United States Army(4 years)
Officer Brian Marble- United States Marine Corps(4years

08/24/2024

It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we inform you of the death of our former colleague and friend, Mike Otten. Mike served as a DPS Interim Captain and Chaifetz Security Manager. His passion and advocacy for mental health awareness and su***de prevention help to bring Mental Health First Aid to SLU. He could always be found cheering on our student athletes and supporting officers. You will be missed.

05/22/2024

Congratulations to SGT Jamila Moore who recently received a graduate certificate in Emergency Management from SLU School of Professional Studies.

04/24/2024

Help prevent prescription drug abuse and overdose. If you have any unused or expired prescription medications,l you can turn them in to DPS and we will safely dispose of them. No questions asked!

You can also contact us to schedule pick up or drop off!

03/20/2024

Can "yall" guess where LT Johsiey is from?

02/09/2024

Whether Uber/Lyft, a friend, public transit, or walking, make good decisions and don't drive intoxicated or impaired.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3Grp7Sxq3j/?igsh=YXU0eHczcHZuaHds