![[image] The University Police Department web site logo](images/policeHeader.jpg "[image] The University Police Department web site logo")
Administration
Administration, commanded by Interim Chief of Police Michael Ragan, is comprised of Business, Internal Affairs, Polices and Accreditation.
Field Operations
Field Operations, commanded by Interim Chief of Police Michael Ragan, is divided into five divisions; the Patrol Division, Criminal Investigation Division, Community Services Division, Special Events, and the Security Division.
Patrol Division
The Patrol Division is supervised by Lieutenant Chris Faulker and functions as the tactical operations division for the department. The 42 uniformed
commissioned police officers of this division are the most publicly visible representatives of the
department and are dispatched by the department’s police communications division by radio to all calls
for service or assistance. Texas A&M University police officers patrol the campus by car, bicycle,
and on foot.
As the primary responsibility of this division, Texas A&M University police officers
are on constant patrol of the campus 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to prevent crime, preserve the peace,
and to protect life and property by enforcing the Texas state laws, and the Texas A&M University
Rules and Regulations.
The Patrol Division is divided into three shifts; each shift is supervised by
a Sergeant with 12 officers under their command. Within each shift are officers that
are designated as Field Training Officers. These officers are responsible for the training of new officers
and may instruct at in-service training or at the TEEX police academy. All officers receive an average of
40 hours of specialized training per year.
Job description (Employee Services)
Criminal Investigations Division
The Criminal Investigations Division (CID) is supervised by Lieutenant Ben Crenshaw and is responsible
for the follow-up investigation of most criminal offenses that are reported to UPD. The detectives investigate
approximately 1000 criminal cases a year.
There are currently five Detectives assigned to the CID unit. Detectives must have several years of patrol
experience and demonstrate investigative and problem solving skills before they are chosen for the position.
Once assigned to the unit, a Detective will receive many additional hours of training that are unique and
specialized for their field. These areas include: interview and interrogations, crime scene processing,
latent fingerprint developing, advanced photography, search and seizure, sexual assault investigation,
drug related crime investigation, computer forensic investigation, and many other courses.
Detectives also work closely with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. UPD depends on the
assistance of these agencies to conduct investigations that routinely leave the confines of the campus.
These other agencies also look to UPD to provide needed equipment, knowledge, and resources that they may
need to conduct their own investigations.
Job description (Employee Services)
Community Services Division
The Community Services Division is supervised by Lieutenant Allen Baron. The division is comprised of the Crime Prevention Unit(CPU),
the Public Information Officer, and the Victim's Advocate.
The CPU was formed in 1989. Over the years, the CPU has received numerous awards for their
dedication to crime prevention efforts.
The involvement of the CPU is vast and far-reaching. The unit's primary responsibilities are within the A&M campus
proper, located in College Station, Texas. Approximately 50,000 students and 10,000 faculty/staff members benefit from the
unit. The unit also travels to various cities throughout eastern and central Texas regions giving presentations to various groups
and organizations.
The CPU is responsible for staffing the Community Oriented Police Services (C.O.P.S.) offices in the University Apartments,
Commons Lobby (residence south), and the A-1 Lounge (residence north.) The C.O.P.S. program is a partnership between the
University Police Department and the Department of Residence Life. Together, they work hand-in-hand to provide a safer community.
The CPU conducts building security surveys that measure a building's vulnerability to crime. A building's perimeter, exterior,
and interior are examined. Recommendations are submitted to the Department Head or appropriate person responsible for the building.
The CPU works with anyone requesting presentations or assistance with special projects that require police or informational
material on personal safety or property security. Other special projects may include, but not limited to, class projects that
require information pertaining to Penal Code laws, alcohol laws, traffic laws, or security matters.
Job description (Employee Services)
Special Events Division
The Special Events Division is supervised by Lieutenant John Fisher.
Job description (Employee Services)
Security Officers
The Security Division is supervised by Captain Tommy Dobson. As one of the
most visible divisions of the police department, 42 non-commissioned security officers and 2
commissioned security officers have frequent interaction with the public. Their public relations skills extend
from assisting tour groups in the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum to providing directions and
information to students, faculty, staff and visitors to the campus.
The daily responsibilities of the security division include the patrol of the parking lots as well as the
staffing of several posts such as residence halls, libraries and other buildings on and off campus. They
are responsible for the prevention of theft and damage to university and personal property as well as the
safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors to the campus.
The security officer’s contribution to the success of law enforcement efforts on the campus is without a
doubt a very important link in maintaining the existence of a safe, orderly and tranquil environment that
will assure all those affiliated with the university the opportunity of achieving their mission.
Job description (Employee Services)
Support Services
Support Services, commanded by Assistant Chief Robert Meyer, is divided into six divisions; Clery and Accreditation, Communications, Records, Training and Recruiting Division, Property & Evidence, and Information Technology.
Clery and Accreditation
Sergeant Craig Ellsworth oversees all aspects of the department's Clery Report requirements and the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) accreditation process.
Communications Division
Supervised by Communications Coordinator Yvonne Costello, the Communications
Division is the vital link between police and security officers, citizens, emergency
medical services, fire department, public safety responders, and state/national law enforcement agencies.
Often, they are the first line of communications between the community and the police. Trained and
qualified dispatchers provide information to police officers and the community that is essential to campus
safety.
Communication Operators utilize an automated Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system to track events, officers’
responses and status. This division also utilizes the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunication System
(TLETS) as well as the National Law Enforcement Telecommunication System (NLETS). TLETS and NLETS link
together local, state, federal, and international law enforcement agencies for the purpose of information
exchange. Other available resources include “Language Line” services for over-the-phone language
interpretation as well as a telecommunication device for the deaf or hearing impaired (TDD).
Communication Operators assigned to this division are the primary point of contact for emergency and
non-emergency requests for police services. Dispatchers are trained to determine the type of response
that is needed.
Emergencies: If you call from an “on-campus” land-line telephone, dial 9-9-1-1. If you are calling
from an “off-campus” or cell phone, dial 9-1-1.
Non-emergencies: (979) 845-2345
Records Division
Under the direction of Records Supervisor Christie Maurer, the Records Division
personnel process, maintain, and store numerous types of reports on a daily basis. The
division generates and submits statistical information for the FBI Uniform Crime Report as well as the
Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act).
Officers utilize a computerized records system for generating reports. These police/security reports
are submitted to Records for processing. Records personnel use the computerized system for review, easy
retrieval, and analysis of the data submitted.
Training and Recruiting
This office is managed by a Police Lieutenant. The Training and Recruiting Coordinator is responsible
for the training and certifications of all employees within the University Police Department. This
office is responsible for maintaining compliance with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer
Standards and Education (TCLEOSE) requirements. This office also administers the training provider
contract with TCLEOSE so that the TAMU police department can conduct continuing education and report
the hours to TCLEOSE for credit. The goal is that all employees receive training as mandated by the
state and adequate additional instruction in areas required for the proper performance of their
specific job tasks.
This job also oversees all of the personnel hiring and recruiting issues of the department. This
includes background checks and keeping position descriptions up to date.
Property and Evidence
This office has an Evidence Technician that facilitates the secured storage, control, chain-of-custody, and disposition of all items of evidence and property lawfully seized and taken into custody by this department. Reasonable efforts are made to return recovered property to its rightful owner or properly dispose of the item when no longer needed by the department.
Information Technology
This office has two individuals with the responsibility for managing the maintenance of departmental owned computers, software, and other electronic information storage/retrieval and related equipment.