The University of Nebraska Police and Public Safety Department works to provide a safe environment for those who work on, learn at and visit UNMC’s campuses. At the med center in Omaha, UNMC and Nebraska Medicine buildings are patrolled 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
As part of that work, the department has shared the following guidance in response to recent questions from the campus community.
The information below is intended to help faculty, staff and students respond calmly and appropriately during encounters with federal agents, while ensuring the correct public safety resources are engaged.
Identifying law enforcement and security personnel
Campus public safety officers are distinguishable by their uniforms and vehicles.
- Security officers wear gray shirts and black pants and drive a white security vehicle.
- Law enforcement officers wear black shirts and black pants and drive black cruisers.
Emergency and public safety contacts
If you see something of concern, contact the appropriate public safety personnel. (If you see something, say something.)
Omaha (med center campus):
- Emergencies: Call 402-559-5555
- Non-emergency: Call 402-559-5111 on the med center campus, 24 hours a day.
- The department website has information and links to available safety resources, including UNMC Alert, officer escorts, personal safety checks and special attention requests.
Lincoln (UNMC College of Dentistry and UNMC College of Nursing-Lincoln Division):
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Non-emergency: Call the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Police Department at 402-472-2222
Kearney (UNMC College of Nursing-Kearney Division, UNMC College of Allied Health Professions and UNMC College of Pharmacy):
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Non-emergency: Call the University of Nebraska at Kearney Police Department at 308-865-8911
Norfolk (UNMC College of Nursing-Northern Division):
- Emergencies: Call 911 or Northeast Community College campus security at 402-841-5163
- Non-emergency: Call campus security at 402-841-5163
Scottsbluff (UNMC College of Nursing-Western Division):
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Non-emergency: Call Scottsbluff Police Department at 308-632-7176 or Western Nebraska Community College resource officers at 308-635-6111. Campus security can be reached 11 p.m.-7 a.m. seven days a week at 308-641-0351.
Building access
Med center staff and students are urged to never allow people to “tailgate” into buildings that require badge access. Anyone can call Public Safety Dispatch at 402-559-5111 if they encounter:
- Someone attempting to get into a secured building without a badge.
- Someone in a secured building or elevator without a badge.
- Anyone, anywhere on campus who appears in need of assistance, seems out of place or gives cause for concern.
Guidance on ICE and federal agents
UNMC public safety officers do not inquire about anyone’s immigration status. UNMC is committed to complying with federal and state law, and you should not obstruct the actions of law enforcement. If you are approached by ICE or other federal agents:
- Remain calm and professional to avoid escalating the situation.
- Ask for official documentation, including the agent’s name, identification number, agency affiliation and warrant.
- Inform the officers that you are not obstructing their process but need to contact the NU Office of General Counsel and the UNMC public safety department for guidance, as you want to make sure you remain compliant with FERPA, HIPAA and other applicable privacy laws. General Counsel can be reached at 402-472-1201, and Public Safety at 402-559-5555.
Refer to NU Executive Memorandum 43 for full details and read NU guidance on warrants and subpoenas.
Nebraska Medicine has long-established policies for responding to law enforcement. See this article in the Nebraska Medicine NOW for more information.