HISTORY

From the founding of The University of Alabama in 1831 until 1946, the security of the University properties was generally the responsibility of students, faculty, and night watchmen. At the end of World War II, enrollment increased by more than 5,000 students. The University hired Allen Rayfield as the first police chief and three police officers forming UAPD. Training consisted of one month under the tutelage of Chief Rayfield, after which, the officers had arrest powers.

The department was originally located in an office in Woods Hall, and then relocated to a small room in the Union building in 1947. University Police moved to Gorgas Hall in the mid-1960s and remained there until October 2005. UAPD moved to New Hall in 2005 and later to the 700 Buiding (old Capstone Medical) in 2011.

In 2012, University Police moved into the University Police Center, located at 1110 Jackson Avenue. In 2023, UAPD and the Tuscaloosa Police Department opened a new precinct at 1209 University Boulevard, in the area commonly referred to as the Strip.

In 1998, the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., or CALEA®, accredited the department’s police function. University police officers are granted arrest powers under state law and are certified by the State of Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission, or APOSTC. Typically, a new police officer receives 280 hours of orientation training, 480 hours of training at the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Academy, 440 hours of field training and evaluation before beginning a 1,040 hour probationary period.

Today, UAPD has grown to almost 100 sworn officers, employs about 50 Security Resources Assistants who constantly patrol campus and monitor security technologies, and has about 25 civilian employees.