Welcome to the University of Alabama. The University of Alabama Police Department seeks to partner with community members to promote a safe environment in which to live, learn and work. The men and women of the University of Alabama Police Department (UAPD) strive each day to provide the highest quality law enforcement services to the students, faculty, staff, and visitors that comprise The University of Alabama family. We proactively seek to reduce the opportunity for crime to occur by emphasizing community education, using advanced technologies to promote safety, delivering relevant safety information, maintaining a highly visible, responsive patrol presence, and actively pursuing justice when criminal incidents do occur. We believe that a three-tiered approach of education, environment and enforcement is instrumental to the positive influence of safety within our community.
University of Alabama police officers are always working and available to assist you. The department provides a comprehensive array of law enforcement services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year through a dedicated staff of more than 92 sworn, state-commissioned police officers and 21 full-time support personnel. All UA police officers are certified by the Alabama Police Officers’ Standards and Training Commission and have the same authorities and must meet the same expectations as law enforcement officers in any community. Additionally, the UAPD is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), an international organization that certifies an agency’s compliance with a comprehensive body of modern professional law enforcement and management standards. As of the date of this publication, the UAPD is one of only 10 departments in the state of Alabama, and one of 73 campus law enforcement agencies in the United States, that holds CALEA accreditation.
While the UAPD works diligently to promote a safe environment, personal safety starts with you. You can enhance your safety by becoming informed and by using good judgment. Take the initiative to familiarize yourself with the safety information and services offered by The University of Alabama. An excellent place to start is this Safer Living Guide, the University’s publication that outlines safety procedures and services. The Safer Living Guide can be accessed through the police department’s website. There are a number of organizations and community groups that take an active role in promoting quality of life and safety at the University and within the surrounding community. By educating yourself and taking part, you can positively influence your community and learn valuable safety skills that will benefit you beyond The University of Alabama.
I hope your time here at UA proves to be among the most treasured in your life. If you should ever need the assistance of the UAPD, please do not hesitate to call us — we are here to help you!
Sincerely,
John Hooks
Chief of Police