CONTACTING POLICE
In an Emergency
In an emergency, dial 911.
For those with hearing or speech difficulties, or in situations when it is not safe to place a voice call to 911, you can text 911. Tuscaloosa County 911 and UAPD encourage anyone with police, fire or medical emergencies to call 911 if they can. Only use the text-to-911 option in situations where you can’t speak to an operator.
Phone numbers for other law enforcement agencies, first responders, and health care organizations can be found in the UA Safety mobile app. The UA Safety mobile app allows you to call these agencies with the push of a button.
Reporting a Crime or Suspicious Activity
If you witness a crime or are the victim of a crime, obtain descriptions and call the police. Be prepared to give a description of the offender, including clothing. If a vehicle is involved, get a description and the license plate number if possible. Remember which direction the vehicle traveled.
If the crime occurs on campus, contact UAPD at 205-348-5454 or 911. If the crime occurs in Tuscaloosa, contact the Tuscaloosa Police Department at 205-349-1212 or 911. You can find contact information for other law enforcement agencies on the Additional Safety Resources page.
UAPD encourages you to report any crime, suspicious activity or safety concerns you may have to the police.
Contacting Emergency Response Resources
Enter the numbers of all local law enforcement agencies at the top of your cell phone directory; for a listing, visit the Additional Safety Resources page.
Place UAPD’s number, 205-348-5454, on your speed dial. Remember, dialing 911 from your cellular phone will connect you to the local 911 center where you can speak with a UAPD communications operator, with Tuscaloosa Police or any other agency that serves Tuscaloosa County.
If you need assistance but don’t have an emergency, dial the appropriate agency directly using the phone number you can find on the Additional Safety Resources page.
MEDICAL EMERGENCIES
If someone on campus needs emergency medical care, call 911 or 205-348-5454. The call will reach UAPD. Usually, a police officer will be the first emergency official to arrive. In addition to police, a local ambulance service and paramedics from Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue will respond. When you call 205-348-5454 or 911, remember:
- The individual requiring medical attention should not be moved, except to be removed from life-threatening conditions.
- Someone should stay with the individual requiring medical attention until help arrives.
- Give complete directions to the location of the individual requiring medical attention.
- Accurately describe what happened.
- Stay on the line until the police communications operator tells you to hang up.
- Guide emergency officials to the individual requiring medical attention.
- Stay out of the way and keep others out of the way of emergency officials. Before you leave the scene, check with a police officer to see if further information is needed.
FIRE EMERGENCIES
In the event of a fire on or off campus, sound the nearest fire alarm in the building. Exit the building, then call 911 or 205-348-5454. Tell the police communications operator your name and address, and the location and extent of the fire. If you know of any people with disabilities in the building, tell the police communications operator about them. Assign an escort to each person with a disability.
If you think it’s possible, confine the fire by closing nearby windows and doors, but never linger in a building in which smoke or fumes threaten to overcome you. Exit the building quickly and calmly. Do not use elevators, but follow the lighted exit signs to the closest fire exit. When possible, follow the posted evacuation route.
Meet emergency officials outside of the building and inform them of the location of the fire. Remain outside at a safe distance and keep others away from the building and from emergency vehicles. In all cases, follow the instructions of fire and police personnel on the scene. Fire prevention tips are available on the Environmental Health and Safety website or by calling 205-348-5905.
THREATENING BEHAVIOR
Any information/situation noting an imminent threat to one’s safety or the safety of others should be considered an emergency and immediately reported to UAPD by calling 911 or 205-348-5454.
Examples of Emergency Situations:
- Possession of a weapon (guns, knives, etc.) on UA property
- Possession of a bomb or bomb-making materials on UA property
- Physical assault or attempted physical assault (with or without weapons) on UA property
- Explicit threats to inflict physical harm to one’s self or others
Additional information on the University’s behavioral threat assessment resources and other avenues for reporting concerning or threatening behavior that is not considered an emergency situation is available on the Office of Threat Assessment’s website.