Our Uniformed Law Enforcement Officers, also known as our Patrol Division, provides a high standard of public safety and assistance 24-hours a day, 365 days a year for the protection of the University community. Officers provide a wide variety of services, including:

• Responding to calls for service
• Enforcing laws
• Gathering information for reports
• Conducting preliminary investigations
• Providing security to University property

Our uniformed officers can be seen on and around campus on foot patrol, bicycle patrol, golf carts, and in marked patrol units.

The Traffic Division is responsible for:

• The enforcement of traffic laws
• Traffic accident investigations
• Hit-and-run investigations
• Special escorts
• Supporting the Patrol Division

Officers assigned to the Traffic Division usually patrol campus on Harley-Davidson FLHTP Electra Glide Motorcycles, although they may use marked police vehicles when there is inclement weather.

UAPD maintains an explosives detection canine unit that works to provide a safe environment at venues on and off campus. Our dogs and their handlers train weekly to ensure they can provide the highest quality of service to the community. In addition to explosives detection, the K9 unit also performs a variety of community relations functions, and supplements the Patrol DIvision.

The dedicated Off-Campus Public Safety/Strip Unit works closely with community stakeholders to create a safer, more enjoyable nightlife experience for students visiting the Strip and surrounding areas. Through advanced technology, strategic patrols, and community-based policing, the unit fosters a secure and welcoming environment.

Emphasizing a community-oriented policing approach, our officers actively engage with the public, building trust and strong relationships through regular interactions. Their presence has become a familiar and reassuring part of the community, particularly among business owners, employees, and patrons. These connections are further strengthened through routine foot patrols along the streets and alleyways surrounding businesses and residences in the Strip’s entertainment district and University Town Center.

When you call 911 or (205) 348-5454, you’ll be talking to one of the trained professionals in our Communications Division. These Police Communication Officers, also known as Dispatchers, coordinate emergency and non-emergency responses to campus and the area immediately surrounding campus, whether by law enforcement, fire or medical personnel 24-hours a day, 365 days a year.

Our Dispatchers also receive direct calls from the emergency “blue phones” located on campus and phones in campus elevators.

The University of Alabama is no stranger to hosting events. From football games that bring in more 100,000 fans to Bryant-Denny Stadium, to one of the largest sorority recruitment weeks in the U.S., to visits by sitting Presidents, our Special Event Planning Unit is responsible for planning and coordinating safety and security for them all and more. This group works closely with other law enforcement agencies in Tuscaloosa and around Alabama to make sure the campus is safe during all large events.

The Criminal Investigations Division, or CID, is responsible for the follow-up investigations of all criminal offenses occurring on university-owned or leased property. This includes:

• Meeting wit complainants/victims, witnesses, and suspects
• Processing cime scenes
• Applying for subpoenas and search warrants
• Reviewing evidence
• Conducting surveillance
• Conducting background checks
• Testifying in court 

University Police also assign investigators to several multi-agency task forces:

• West Alabama Narcotics Task Force
• Tuscaloosa Metro Violent Crimes Unit
• U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force
• West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force

The Regional Evidence Analysis & Cyber-Intelligence Team, also known as REACT, uses both traditional and evolving evidence-response procedures for the collection and analysis of digital evidence. The team helps with investigations into child exploitation, narcotics, theft, robbery, burglary, harassment, threats, sexual assaults, domestic violence and other criminal cases.

Security Resources focuses on providing and maintaining an environment of safety for the campus community and safeguarding property 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. Security Resources combines dedicated campus patrol with the utilization of integrated security systems. Security Resources Assistants, or SRAs, monitor cameras and access control throughout campus. 

Security Resources is the UAPD’s second-largest division with around 50 trained, unarmed security personnel. Learn more about Security Resources.

Investigators assigned to the Office of Threat Assessment aid in gathering information on individuals who exhibit significant alarming or threatening behavior to the campus community. They make recommendations to the Director of Threat Assessment, who shares the information with the Threat Assessment Team or the Behavioral Intervention Team to allow UA officials from different departments to address concerning behaviors and act quickly to prevent targeted acts of violence.

The UAPD Training unit is responsible for ensuring that all personnel receive the proper law enforcement training. The members of this unit plan, develop, implement, and evaluate training programs. They conduct research on new law enforcement techniques, equipment, policies and procedures, and make recommendations concerning training.

Members of the Training unit serve as liaisons between UAPD, the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission (APOSTC), and other partner agencies. They ensure that all UAPD sworn officers meet the APOSTC professional development requirements annually. They maintain all training records for the department.

Community Relations

Our Community Relations unit serves as a liasion between UAPD, the campus community, and the greater Tuscaloosa communty. The unit works to reduce or prevent crime on campus through educational programming and activities. Programming is provided to housing and residential communities, Greek and other student organizations, classes, and faculty and staff professional groups, and to anyone in the UA community upon request.

Common program topics include:

• Personal Safety
• Active Threat Training
• Alcohol Awareness
• Drug Awareness
• Conflict Resolution

For more information on the programs offered by UAPD, or to request a program, email uapdprograms@ua.edu or call the Community Relations Officer at (205) 348-8361.

Officers serving in this unit also give presentations at Bama Bound orientation sessions for in-coming students and their parents, new employee orientation meetings, and at other campus events. In addition, they meet biannually with the Neighborhood Partnership Committee to provide information on campus crime statistics and crime prevention initiatives.

Public Information

The Public Information Officer is responsible for communicating with the public and the media with information related to UAPD activities. The PIO manages the department's websites, social media accounts, and during critical or emergency situations, the PIO is responsible for issuing UA Alerts and/or Campus Advisories. Contact the PIO at pscommunications@ua.edu or (205) 348-8319.

The Community Services Officer assists with the public information function by maintaining the Daily Crime Log.

Clery Compliance

The Clery Compliance Officer ensures that UA is in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Safety Act. This officer works directly with the Chief of Police and the PIO on issuing Campus Advisories as needed. The CCO performs crime analysis and produces the Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report. Contact the CCO at caclark@ua.edu or (205) 347-0547.

UAPD Evidence Custodians are responsible for receiving, storing, tracking, and managing all evidence that is collected during the investigation of crimes that happen on the UA campus. They ensure the integrity of the evidence by maintaining a proper chain of custody and documenting details about each item from its collection until disposal in order to guarantee the evidence is admissible in court.

The Accreditation Standards unit ensures that UAPD adheres to a set of professional standards in law enforcement. It is a voluntary process entered into by the department that involves the development of uniform written directives and supports informed management decisions.

The process of accreditation promotes continual improvement of community relations and strengthens agency accountability, all in the pursuit of professional excellence. UAPD is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA®).

The Internal Investigations Authority is responsible for overseeing the investigation of all complaints against departmental personnel. The department holds its employees to the highest professional standards and vigorously investigates any allegations of employee malfeasance or misconduct. IIA also makes policy and training recommendations based on analysis of complaints.