PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — Hugh T. Clements Jr., former chief of the Providence Police Department and Brown University’s interim vice president for public safety, wrote to the campus community about steps toward creating a safe and secure campus defined by preparedness, vigilance and mutual care.
“What happened on Dec. 13 should never happen again — at Brown or anywhere — and we must confront that imperative for our community with steadfast purpose,” Clements wrote, referencing the tragic shooting in which two Brown students were killed and nine others injured.
He described actions to sustain an elevated and visible campus public safety presence into the Spring 2026 semester and how the University will proceed in working with students, faculty and staff to consider what it means to maintain a secure campus for the longer-term.
“Safety requires more than visible security,” Clements wrote. “It is built through preparation, transparency, trust and partnership. My vision for public safety at Brown is one that is community-centered, proactive and grounded in best practices, modern technology and clear communication. I am honored to serve with colleagues in Brown’s leadership who share this vision.”
Clements’ full letter is published on the Brown.edu website and included below.
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Campus safety actions under new leadership
Dear Members of the Brown University Community,
I am writing to you today in my first days as interim vice president for public safety with a profound sense of responsibility, humility and resolve.
The Brown community has experienced an unspeakable tragedy. The recent act of violence that took the lives of Ella Cook and MukhammadAziz Umurzokov and injured nine other members of our campus family has shaken us to our core. There are no words that can fully capture the deep sense of loss, grief and pain many of you are feeling, while some also have natural feelings of anxiety and lingering fear. I want to say clearly and unequivocally: What happened on Dec. 13 should never happen again — at Brown or anywhere — and we must confront that imperative for our community with steadfast purpose.
As I step into this role, I do so fully aware that there are critical questions about the strength of our safety and security systems. Acknowledging those questions is not about assigning blame — it is about responsibility, learning and improvement. My commitment to you is simple and unwavering: We will build a stronger, sophisticated and more resilient model of campus safety — together.
Safety requires more than visible security. It is built through preparation, transparency, trust and partnership. My vision for public safety at Brown is one that is community-centered, proactive and grounded in best practices, modern technology and clear communication. I am honored to serve with colleagues in Brown’s leadership who share this vision.
Elevated Public Safety Presence and Actions to Date
In the weeks ahead, Brown’s Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management (or DPSEM, which is the new name of DPS since the department restructured earlier this year) will continue to maintain an elevated and visible presence across campus. This enhanced presence includes more safety and security officers across academic buildings, residential areas and events, while buildings also will continue to require card access, a key or displaying a University ID for entry.
We are increasing security staffing in phases, aligned with the ramp-up of operations and the increase of students, faculty and staff on campus as we transition from the lesser density of the holiday break and Winter Session, to the Jan. 6 end of the administrative Winter Break and resumption of medical school courses, to the start of the second semester on Jan. 21. To ensure coverage and support wherever it is needed, we are deploying a complement of DPSEM officers, coordinated mutual aid from partner agencies and well-trained private security resources.
At the same time, several priority projects are being accelerated for completion prior to the Spring 2026 semester. These include:
- Transition to card access for the remaining buildings currently requiring keys for entry (with assigned officers at those buildings until the technology transition is complete)
- Expansion of blue light phones with integrated cameras across campus
- Installing additional security cameras in key areas, including at Barus & Holley, pending final determinations arising from the Campus Safety and Security Assessment announced Dec. 22
- Expansion of panic buttons in critical locations to ensure rapid access to help when it is needed most
- Strengthened coordination among campus partners, local agencies and regional mental health resources
- Enhanced public safety training, staffing and operating systems for rapid and effective communications during emergencies
- Reinforced messages of available resources supporting crime prevention and emergency management (see the important information in the Resources section at the end of this letter)
These efforts are part of a broad and multi-pronged approach to campus safety that integrates prevention, response and communication across the University.
As President Paxson shared in her message to the community Dec. 22, we also are moving forward with two important security initiatives, both of which will be conducted by external firms commissioned by the Corporation of Brown University. The first is an After-Action Review that will study the safety and security preparedness surrounding the Dec. 13 incident, as well as the emergency management response in its aftermath. The second is a comprehensive Campus Safety and Security Assessment that will examine all aspects of our security systems, policies and practices, and incorporate community input. The Campus Safety and Security Assessment will build on the immediate actions underway this month.
Looking Ahead to the Spring Semester
Even as we focus on the strength of proactive safety measures, equipping our campus community with the training needed to respond in the event of a safety threat is another top priority. During the spring semester, we will offer the Brown community new safety training and active-shooter preparedness training aligned with trauma-informed approaches. This will build upon the training the University has provided to individuals and departments in the past, which focuses on clear, practical guidance.
In addition, the University has pledged meaningful opportunities for students, faculty and staff to share concerns, ideas and feedback in the weeks and months ahead for what it means to maintain a secure campus. And you will see a public safety leadership team that listens and acts. Over the coming weeks, I will be active across campus listening, learning and working alongside colleagues to ensure that our approach is responsive, thoughtful and grounded in care for the people of this community and the values of Brown.
I want you to know this: Our goal is not to create a campus defined by fear, but one defined by preparedness, vigilance and mutual care. We are committed to maintaining a campus where every member of this community — students, faculty, staff and visitors — can learn, work and live with confidence that they are doing so in spaces that support a strong academic mission while also being secure.
I share the commitment expressed by President Paxson to take all possible steps to increase the safety and security of the Brown campus and protect against future harm for our community. I also know that rebuilding trust takes time, and it begins with consistency and truth. You have my promise that I will lead with integrity, transparency and an unwavering focus on your safety and well-being.
As I embrace the privilege of being a member of this extraordinary Brown community, I want to honor the victims of Dec. 13 by working with campus partners to bring about meaningful change. I hope to honor the injured by ensuring this campus is safer tomorrow than it was yesterday. And as students, faculty and staff, we can honor this community by standing strong together — resilient, compassionate and determined.
Thank you for the trust you place in this institution and in the work ahead. I look forward to engaging with you directly and often as we move forward.
With resolve and respect,
Hugh T. Clements Jr.
Interim Vice President for Public Safety
RESOURCES
How to Report Concerns
It is vital that all members of the Brown community fully understand the mechanisms for reporting public safety and security concerns.
- Emergencies: Call the Brown Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management (DPSEM) at 401-863-4111 or dial 911.
- Non-emergencies and safety concerns: Call DPSEM at 401-863-3322.
If you are unsure whether a security concern warrants a call, it is best to call public safety to allow the department to assess and determine any appropriate action. The Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management is reviewing its internal systems to ensure concerns are routed, tracked and addressed consistently, and we will share more about this new model.
Staying Connected to Alerts
All members of the Brown community and affiliates are strongly encouraged to ensure your contact information is current in the RAVE BrownAlert notification system to ensure you receive timely emergency notifications and important safety updates. Any member of the greater community — including parents and family of Brown students, or members of the RISD community, for example — who would like to opt in to receive BrownAlert updates should text BrownEmergencyList to 67283.
Also, members of the Brown community should download the RAVE Brown Guardian app. This tool provides an additional mechanism for contacting public safety if you need assistance and has embedded GPS capabilities to allow emergency responders to locate you quickly and dispatch help in an emergency.
BrownReady preparedness
The BrownReady website reflects emergency preparedness guidance written by experts to keep college and university campuses safe, including information about programs, emergency communication systems, training and response.
Safety Awareness Information
Please review the Brown DPSEM website for additional safety information and resources.