Armed Public Safety Officers

The Armed Public Safety Officers (APSO) Unit at University Park plays a vital role in safeguarding the campus community and sensitive University assets. Tasked with the protection of classified and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) for the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) and Department of Defense, APSOs serve as the first line of defense, responding to emergencies and ensuring the well-being of Penn State employees and students. Their responsibilities range from conducting thorough investigations into security incidents and handling fire, burglar, and suspicious activity calls for the ARL, to enforcing a wide array of laws and regulations—including those at the national, state, local, university, and federal levels. By upholding Department of Defense and Department of Energy regulations, they maintain the highest standards of safety and compliance.