UTA Police Chief Kim Lemaux guides students during National Night Out on Oct. 3, 2023, in Brazos Park.
File photo by Joel Solis
Working to keep the campus safe around the clock, UTA Police services range from criminal investigations to battery jump starts.
The UTA Police Department is on 202 E. Border St. and the office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday for students, faculty and staff. However, the campus police serve the community 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Here are some of the ways the campus police can help students, faculty and staff.
The department is staffed by 48 sworn police officers, 14 public safety officers, professional communications personnel and administrative support staff, UTA Police Capt. Jim Randles said in an email.
Patrol Operations consists of uniformed campus officers who patrol the university, according to the UTA Police website. There are three shifts, ensuring the campus is protected 24 hours a day.
“Patrol officers and public safety officers serve as a visible presence throughout campus, responding to calls for service, checking university buildings, assisting stranded motorists, contacting suspicious persons when necessary, and helping students, faculty, staff and visitors navigate campus,” Randles said.
Campus officers are commissioned University of Texas System peace officers licensed by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.
The department’s Criminal Investigations Division goes through reported crimes, processes evidence, conducts interviews, works with prosecutors and assists victims throughout the investigation process, Randles said.
“UTAPD also operates a Crime Victim Services program that provides support and advocacy for victims of crime and other traumatic incidents,” he said. “Victim advocates assist individuals affected by family violence, sexual assault, stalking, relationship violence, and other abusive behaviors.”
The department also runs a found property program, where lost items that are recovered across campus can be turned in to the department. Randles said the staff works to identify owners and return property whenever possible.
For students who ride bikes and scooters to school, the campus police also have a registration system where students can put the information on their vehicles. If they were ever stolen, the service increases the chances of recovering the stolen property.
The department also provides educational programs. Officers and staff provide information and training on topics such as alcohol and drug awareness, personal safety, bicycle theft prevention, identity theft, scams and fraud, sexual assault prevention and active threat preparedness, he said.
The department also shares crime trend information, safety tips and public safety alerts to help keep the campus community informed.
Students, faculty and staff can call UTA Police at 817-272-3003 for emergencies or 817-272-3381 for nonemergencies.
Additional information, crime prevention resources, victim services information, the daily crime log and other public safety resources are available through the UTA Police Department website.
“UTAPD’s mission is to serve and protect the campus community,” Randles said.
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