Notre Dame to drop 'security' from name of police department

The Notre Dame Security Police Department will be renamed the Notre Dame Police Department as of March 1, the University of Notre Dame announced Thursday.

The university completed an extensive study and officials believe the name change would create a greater distinction between the university's police officers and other security personnel on campus.

Only police officers will wear navy blue shirts and pants, drive patrol cars with red and blue lights and answer emergency calls.

Outreach, engagement and safety inspection staff will wear green shirts and khaki pants.

“When someone calls the Notre Dame Police Department, they will be speaking with a police officer,” said Keri Kei Shibata, chief of police at Notre Dame. “And, only our officers will respond to emergencies and patrol campus, so our students, visitors, faculty and staff will know what they can expect from the officer.”