Reporting A Crime

REPORTING A CRIME

Despite everyone’s best efforts, people will become victims of crime. If that happens to you, UAPD will provide you with as much help and information as possible.

When you call UAPD to report an incident or offense, a police report may be filed. A police officer will meet with you and take the report after gathering all available facts. The completed report is then forwarded to an investigator, who may contact you for an interview or to gather additional information. If a suspect is developed in the case, you will have a few choices to make: prosecute through the Tuscaloosa criminal court system (have the subject arrested), issue a student non-academic misconduct citation (University Code of Student Conduct process) if the suspect is a student, or do nothing to the suspect (no prosecution). After this decision, the next step will vary depending on court appearances and testifying.

The UAPD investigation division is here to help you; if criminal prosecution is chosen, the investigator will more than likely be in court with you to testify on the investigation findings. If within 60 days you are not notified of an arrest in your case, you may call the telephone number of the law enforcement agency to check the case status. UAPD investigators can be reached at 205-347-0500. Be prepared to give your name, the date of the crime or a case number to the investigator who answers your call.

If you are the victim of a crime off campus and need police services, contact the agency that has jurisdiction.

• Tuscaloosa Police Department at 205-349-2121.
• Northport Police Department at 205-339-6600.
• Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Department at 205-752-0616.
• Alabama State Troopers at 205-553-5531.

UAPD and other local police agencies exchange information regularly and work together in a number of efforts aimed at improving the safety of the community. These cooperative efforts enable UAPD to work with and for UA students and employees in situations that occur off campus.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING OPTIONS

The University’s UAct website provides information on how to report or obtain assistance with a variety of issues relating to dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, sexual violence or other Title IX violations, illegal discrimination, harassment, child abuse or neglect, hazing, threat assessment, retaliation and ethical violations or fraud.