Support Services
Support Services is a specialized unit of the University Police Department (UPD), encompassing four key sections: Personnel, Recruiting and Training, Special Operations, Records and Evidence, and Police Communications. This division fosters collaboration between law enforcement and the university community and offers essential resources that enhance campus safety, promote transparency, and ensure efficient police operations.
Meet the Assistant Chief
Bobby Richardson is the Assistant Chief of Police for Support Services at the Texas A&M University Police Department. This Division comprises various sections and units that provide technical, logistical, and tactical support to the department's officers. These areas include Special Operations, Police Communications (Dispatch), Records and Evidence and Personnel Recruiting and Training.
At the Texas A&M University Police Department, our goal is to create a safe and secure environment through education, the collaboration of all university community members, and the enforcement of laws and regulations. The Support Services Division plays a crucial role in this mission by delivering courteous, timely, and high-quality services to our department members, the university community, the public, and other law enforcement and criminal justice agencies. Thanks, and Gig ‘Em!"
Personnel, Recruiting, and Training
The Personnel, Recruiting, and Training section is responsible for recruiting, hiring, training, and certifying all employees within the University Police Department. This office also ensures compliance with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) requirements.
Additionally, the Training unit oversees the professional development and continued growth of all department members. This includes providing continuing education to meet state licensing requirements, enhancing job performance, and preparing department members for advancement to specialized divisions (such as Criminal Investigation or Crime Prevention) or leadership and supervisory roles.
Special Operations
Our Special Operations section coordinates police and security services for various special events. These include concerts, dignitary visits, commencement ceremonies, holiday celebrations, student and departmental social events, athletic competitions, and weddings. This section ensures the safety and security of unique and high-profile events on campus, such as guest speaker engagements and large outdoor festivities, and prepares for emergency responses.
The team collaborates closely with event organizers to create customized security plans, assess potential risks, and implement effective crowd management strategies while fostering a welcoming atmosphere for attendees.
Additionally, this section includes the Community Services Unit, which focuses on raising awareness through education, collaboration, and public partnerships. This unit offers crime prevention programs and services to the Texas A&M University community. Regular events and informational campaigns keep students, faculty, staff and visitors informed about potential risks and available resources, ultimately promoting a safer and more resilient community.
Click below to learn how to request safety training or a presentation for your department.
Records and Evidence
The Records and Evidence section is responsible for preserving and cataloging all property and evidence the department lawfully seizes. This section ensures that all evidentiary items are meticulously documented until a final court disposition is reached. The team works diligently to return recovered property to its rightful owners or properly dispose of items no longer needed. Property can be released by appointment, but appropriate identification is required.
Additionally, the Records unit processes, maintains, and stores various reports daily. It is also responsible for the retention, storage, security, destruction, and retrieval of both electronic and physical police records. Records also handles non-emergency phone calls, staffs the main lobby's reception area, processes requests for open records materials, approves reports, and conducts monthly statistical reporting.
Police Communications
The Police Communications section is a crucial link between police and security officers, citizens, emergency medical services, the fire department, public safety responders, and state and national law enforcement agencies. Often, they are the first point of contact between the community and the Police. Trained and qualified dispatchers provide essential information to police officers and the community, ensuring campus safety.
Key responsibilities include:
- Answering all 911 emergency calls.
- Prioritizing requests for assistance.
- Receiving requests for Police or other University services and coordinating appropriate responses.
- Assisting officers with searches of local, state, and national databases.
- Entering warrant information into local, state, and national databases.
- Coordinating radio and other communications with all officers at all times.
- Monitoring the responses, status, and location of all officers continuously.
- Coordinating interagency and multiagency responses.
- Assisting and collaborating with CSPD, BPD, BCSO, CSFD, and UEMS to provide emergency assistance to all local agencies.