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Massachusetts Institute of Technology Police Department

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Police Department (MIT Police, formerly MIT Campus Patrol) is the police agency charged with providing law enforcement to the campus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The 168-acre (68.0 ha) campus extends over 1 mile (1.6 km) along the northern bank of the Charles River basin.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Police Department

MIT Police

Non-governmental: Body corporate

MIT property

  • Buildings and lands occupied or explicitly controlled by the educational institution and the institution's personnel, and public entering the buildings and immediate precincts of the institution.

64 police officers and detectives

14 civilian employees

  • John DiFava, Chief of Police

Operations[edit]

The MIT Police focus on a safe academic environment as well as emergency medical service 24 hours a day with or without MIT EMS.[23] MIT Police uses EMT certified officers on cruiser, motorcycle, bicycle, and foot patrols.[24] As of April 2013, John DiFava was the Chief of Police.[24]


Specific offices/services include: Patrol; Crime Prevention Unit; Investigations; Sensitive Crimes Unit; Executive Protection; and Honor Guard.


The MIT Police derive their law enforcement authority as being sworn special state police officers under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 22C Section 63.[25][26] Additionally, MIT Police Officers hold commissions as deputy sheriffs of Middlesex, Suffolk, and Norfolk Counties, giving them police powers throughout the municipalities where MIT has facilities.[25]

List of law enforcement agencies in Massachusetts

Campus police

Cambridge Police Department (Massachusetts)

Somerville Auxiliary Police Department

MIT Police Official Website

Officer Down Memorial Page - Sean Collier