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divisions

Administration

Administration, commanded by Chief of Police Elmer Schneider, is comprised of Business, Internal Affairs, Polices and Accreditation.

Field Operations

Field Operations, commanded by Assistant Chief J. Michael Ragan, is divided into three divisions; the Patrol Division, Criminal Investigation Division, and the Security Division.

Patrol Division

The Patrol Division 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 Lieutenant and a Sergeant with 12 officers under their command. Within each shift are two 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 100 hours of specialized training per year.

Job description (Employee Services)

Criminal Investigations Division

The Criminal Investigations Division (CID) of the Texas A&M University Police Department 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 four 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. The CID unit is supervised by a Lieutenant.

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.

Security Officers

As one of the most visible divisions of the police department, 45 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

Special Services, commanded by Assistant Chief Bert Kretzschmar, is divided into four divisions; the Crime Prevention Unit, Communications Division, Records Division and the Training, Property & Evidence and Information Technology Division.

Crime Prevention Unit

The Crime Prevention Unit (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 45,000 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.

Communications Division

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

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 Coordinator, Property and Evidence, and Information Technology

This office is managed by a Police Lieutenant. The Training 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 office also manages the department 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.

This office has the responsibility for managing the maintenance of departmental owned computers, software, and other electronic information storage/retrieval and related equipment.