Get to know F&S: Jane-Lauryn Dery

With a passion for making a difference, Jane-Lauryn Dery is supporting her community and building relationships across campus

For Special Constable Jane-Lauryn Dery, coming to work every day is all about building community, trust and relationships. After graduating from her Police Foundations program, Dery went on to work in customer service, as well as in schools and group homes, where she discovered her passion, and great capacity, for making a difference. 

“I became familiar with working in the school environment,” Dery says of her time as a support worker. “Attending to and aiding people in distress, knowing how to talk to them, and understanding them … It helped me learn how to speak with students and how to deal with mental health crises.”  

That exposure, while challenging, affirmed to Dery she was on the right career track. 

Dery joined U of T’s Campus Safety team in 2022, and will celebrate her three year work-iversary on an auspicious day on campus — the first day of classes. 

U of T was immediately a good fit for Dery, a self-professed “big fan of downtown,” who enjoys the diversity of U of T, and the chance to be a part of a tight community in the heart of Toronto. 

“We’re such a close-knit community,” Dery says, “and Campus Safety always wants to leave people happy and satisfied and know that they can contact us anytime. I always try to hear people out to try and understand where they’re coming from.” 

A typical day is hard to describe for Dery, whose work varies greatly based on the calls that come in. The unexpected is always expected, and can look like anything from a 7 a.m. fire alarm pull, to investigating a theft, making presentations to the community, advancing her mental health crisis support training, patrolling campus and making reports. Calls typically include reports of criminal or provincial offences, safety concerns, suspicious persons or incidents, well-being checks and requests for medical assistance. 

“Whether it’s a mental health call or just a simple theft I’m glad I can help someone. I’m dealing with real people and real issues.”

When handling calls, Dery emphasizes the importance of making relevant resources known and available to community members, in addition to keeping an open mind, being respectful and listening intently to all complainants. “I give them all the time to talk and let them know I’m here to help.” 

Dery “likes to be on the go” and appreciates the daily opportunities to learn, grow and develop her skills alongside her teammates. She cites the communication and support offered by the Campus Safety team as critical, especially in high-stress situations. “Every platoon is so supportive of each other. We make a great team, and this job requires being a team.”  

When she’s not at work, Dery unwinds with jigsaw puzzles and movies, loves to cook and can often be found hitting the gym.  

To learn more about the work done by Campus Safety and the services they provide, visit their website.