Statement from SUNY Assistant Vice Chancellor for University Police Roger Johnson on OSC's Clery Audit of SUNY

“The health and safety of our students, faculty, staff and visitors is the State University of New York’s (SUNY) top priority,” said Roger Johnson, assistant vice chancellor for University Police and a 30-plus year veteran of law enforcement. “Nothing in the Office of the State Comptroller’s (OSC) audit disputes that SUNY campuses provide safe environments. For example, the SUNY NY-Alert program, launched last year, is the largest coordinated campus safety and alert effort in the country.

"Care must be taken in reviewing these issues,” said Johnson. “The OSC audit deals with reporting data and does not address actual campus safety.

“Every day, SUNY officers work in cooperation with local, state and federal law and public safety agencies to ensure the safety of students, faculty and staff on our campuses,” Johnson explained. “SUNY police officers receive regular training in handling critical incidents, work with students to ensure they understand the risks that may confront them, and are involved with the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement (IACLEA), the preeminent organization of campus police.

“We will review the Comptroller’s audit and clarify any reporting inconsistencies. Our police officers are experienced, trained to meet New York State standards, and keep SUNY campuses safe.”

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