The Security Office, intervention measures for the UW’s Security Guard, talks with the services – the University of Warsaw has taken numerous endeavours to strengthen security on campus. Further measures are also planned in the near future, including training, new alarm systems and the installation of CCTV surveillance in all University of Warsaw buildings.

“Ensuring the safety of the University of Warsaw’s community is our priority. The UW is taking all possible measures to prevent dangerous situations. We are strengthening our Security Guard, purchasing the necessary equipment, but also educating the community on how to behave in emergency situations,” says Prof. Alojzy Z. Nowak, the UW Rector.

At the beginning of the year, an emergency telephone number and a safety website were launched. Pursuant to the rector’s order of 30th June, the Office for Security Affairs was established. Sławomir Obliński is the director of the new unit.

“The Office for Security Affairs was established to coordinate all activities related to the protection of the UW community in a consistent and professional manner. We are implementing solutions adapted to contemporary challenges – from modern surveillance systems and technical infrastructure to training and close cooperation with external services. This shows that the University treats security in a systematic and long-term manner,” says Robert Grey, the UW Chancellor.

The University of Warsaw is developing a comprehensive approach to security – with clearly defined procedures and structures. The Office for Security Affairs is part of an integrated system that will ultimately cover not only the physical protection of people on the University of Warsaw campus, but also cybersecurity, crisis management and the prevention of disinformation.

“The safety of the academic community is not only about responding to threats, but above all about preventing them effectively. Our role is both to equip the UW’s Security Guard and to implement procedures and technical solutions that actually increase the level of protection. We make sure that all measures taken translate into a sense of security for students, employees and visitors to the University of Warsaw,” adds the Chancellor of the University of Warsaw.

The activities carried out by the UW’s Office for Security Affairs to date include:

STRENGTHENING THE COMPETENCES OF THE UW’S SECURITY GUARD:

  • introduction of the UW’s Security Guard Regulations, under which guards gained the right to use or employ intervention measures such as physical force, hand-held gas sprayers, telescopic batons and personal cameras;
  • purchase of intervention measures (telescopic batons, hand-held gas sprayers, stun guns);
  • initiation of the procedure for the purchase of body cameras;
  • implementation of the procedure for the purchase of two cars for the UW’s Security Guard, which in an emergency situation will enable the rapid deployment of guards between campuses and facilities;

COOPERATION WITH NATIONAL SERVICES

  • taking steps to sign an agreement with the Warsaw Police Headquarters on cooperation, training, information exchange, organisation of student internships and the use of scientific research for security purposes.
The following are planned in the near future:

TRAINING:

  • training all security guards in the use of intervention measures;
  • introducing mandatory safety training for new employees, doctoral candidates and students;
  • preparation of dedicated safety training courses related to the realities of the UW’s operations and taking into account the current geopolitical situation;

MODERNISATION OF TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS:

  • covering the entire technical security infrastructure with a single surveillance system;
  • introducing key depositories, which will allow for obtaining systemic information on whether a key has been returned at the agreed time, and in the event of non-return, this information will enable a quick response from the UW’s Security Guard;
  • introducing a system for using a landline telephone as a security button;
  • covering all University facilities with a video surveillance system.