University Police and Public Safety at Penn State defines force as all actions above non-resistant compliant handcuffing. Unresisting (cooperative) handcuffing occurs when the subject complies with the officer’s verbal commands and/or willingly allows the officers to position their arms to apply handcuffs, or the subject positions their arms as commanded for the application of handcuffs.

Each instance of Use of Force is classified as a single episode.

Use of force reports are documented by the officer(s) who used force during an encounter with an individual or group. It is possible that there may be several Use of Force reports documented for one individual person or group. Therefore, it is possible that there may be more total uses of force than there are individuals involved in an incident.

When multiple categories of force were used, only the highest level of force applied is listed.

Definitions:

Deployment – Any time either an intermediate weapon (Taser or OC) or a firearm is removed from a holster or mount while on duty.

Discharge – Any time either an intermediate weapon (Taser or OC) or a firearm is used or fired while on duty.

UPPS categorizes complaints as either “Service Complaints” or “Professional Standards Investigations.”  

• Service Complaints are defined as citizen complaints concerning an officer’s level of professional service and/or demeanor during an interaction with a member of the community.
• Professional Standards Investigations are conducted when an accusation is brought against an officer that alleges the officer violated any elements of established UPPS policy or the law.  

Regardless of whether a complaint is classified as a Service Complaint or Professional Standards Investigation, a department supervisor is assigned to investigate the complaint. These investigations follow a strict set of established guidelines to determine whether there was a failure to adhere to professional expectations and/or a violation of UPPS policy or law. If an investigation is founded (i.e. determined to be factual), officers could face a variety of disciplinary actions up to and including termination.  

2025 Citizen Complaint Data

UPPS received 34 total complaints

2 were categorized as a Service Complaint

• 14 were founded
• 8 were unfounded
• 12 were categorized as Professional Standards Investigations
  • 7 were founded
  • 5 were unfounded

2024 Citizen Complaint Data

UPPS received 30 total complaints

• 12 were categorized as Service Complaints
  • 4 were founded
  • 8 were unfounded
• 18 were categorized as Professional Standards Investigations
  • 11 were founded
  • 7 were unfounded

Constructive comments about our service, positive or negative, will help UPPS to improve and achieve its goals. At any time, Penn State community members can file complaints or commendations about our police officers through our online form.