The University of Alabama in Huntsville UAH. Police Department

Transcription

1 The University of Alabama in Huntsville UAH Police Department Submitted by: Officer Markus Bressler Captain Dianna Marshall 1

2 1. The University of Alabama in Huntsville: Home of the Chargers The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) was founded in 1950 and became an autonomous campus within The University of Alabama System in UAH is in the heart of the City of Huntsville which ranks seventh nationwide for job growth, ranked third for professionals and is among the thirty top places in the nation to live. The university has grown into one of the nation s premiere research universities, offering a challenging hands-on curriculum that ensures our graduates are prepared to become tomorrow s leaders. On 400 acres and over 40 buildings, located close to the Marshall Space Center, UAH offers more than 80 areas of undergraduate and graduate programs in six colleges, is the home of over 120 student organizations and offers over 70 accredited degrees. Twelve research centers are located on campus, modern technologies and equipment are constantly developed, used and stored on campus, while numerous organizations of the public and private sector as well as NASA and the Armed Services work closely with research teams and provide internships and employment options for graduated students. More than 8000 students from 44 states and 88 countries study at UAH with a faculty / student ratio of 16:1. The UAH Propulsions Research Center was cited for the third year in a row by Popular Science Magazine as the first among 10 universities where students do serious research and career training by blowing stuff up. Rockets are being developed and tested on campus while students indeed reach for the stars. Picture 1: Map of UAH campus. The Police Department is located in the Intermodal Facility. 2

3 2. The University of Alabama in Huntsville Police Department (UAHPD) In the middle of this modern, technology-focused setting is the UAH Police Department with seventeen sworn officers and twelve support staff. The department is the smallest of all three police departments of the University of Alabama System, operates independently from the other departments, and is part of the university s Department of Facilities and Operations. The campus is patrolled 24/7. Picture 2: The Police Department is located in the center of campus in the Intermodal Facility on John Wright Drive. Picture 3: A Chevrolet Tahoe, used by patrol officers, in front of Huntsville s Rocket & Shuttle Park. 3

4 3. Department Organization UAHPD is led by a Chief of Police who is supported by a Captain and a Lieutenant. While the Captain oversees Operations and Patrol, the Lieutenant supervises the Communications Section, Parking Enforcement, and the Administrative Records Section. Four Sergeants are assigned, three who each manage a patrol shift. One Sergeant is exclusively appointed as a criminal investigator. Michael Snellgrove (Chief of Police) Operations (Captain) Administration (Lieutenant) Investigations (Sergeant) 3 Shift Supervisors (Sergeants) 3 Parking Enforcement Staff 10 Patrol Officers 7 Dispatchers 2 Public Safety Assistants (Students) 2 Administrative Assistants 4

5 Picture 4: Patrol Officers pose for a photo at the central campus flag pole plaza. The department uses Chevrolet Tahoes and Dodge Chargers as patrol vehicles. During warmer months officers will use bicycles, which allow them to patrol areas off campus roads. 4. UAHPD Communication Center Picture 5: The Communications Center is equipped with modern radio communications technology and security cameras. It is fully interoperable with other 1 st responders. The Communications Center, located in the Intermodal Facility, is staffed around the clock by two Communications Officers. All emergency and non-emergency communication is handled in this section. 5

6 5. Ongoing Training and Specialized Training Officers undergo state mandated training each year to maintain their Peace Officer Certification as required by law. In addition, they attend specialized training required by the department for career development. Examples of training include, but may not be limited to: Community Policing Field Training Officer Range Officer Certifications Sexual Assault Investigations Leadership & Instructor Accident Investigations RADAR enforcement Criminal Investigations Building Clearings Suicide Prevention Interview & Interrogation Report Writing First Aid and CPR Crime Prevention Strategies TASER Instructor Rape & Aggression Defense Instructor LEOKA Training FBI Officer Survival Courses Non-sworn staff, such as Communication Officers, receives ongoing training in the following areas: APCO training for Dispatch NCIC Certification Active Shooter Training CAD / RMS Computer Training Fingerprint Training ACJIC & ALACOP 6. Parking Enforcement: reduction of violations through education The Parking Management Enforcement Division was created in the late summer of Its mission is to reduce the number of violations through education and compliance. A current UAH Parking Enforcement informational clip can be viewed at: 6

7 The office is staffed by two parking enforcement officers and one office assistant. Through informational and educational programs, flyers, and a combination of officers presence and enforcement of parking regulations, the number of violations was reduced by over 65% from inception until Picture 6: Parking Enforcement patrols the parking area in front of Morton Hall, the oldest building on campus, located on Ben Graves Drive. Picture 7: An information table in the University Fitness Center during National Police Week, 2013, helped emphasize the department s philosophy, and strategies. 7

8 7. Strategies: a combination of community outreach, prevention, education, and enforcement COMMUNITY OUTREACH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS CRIME PREVENTION STRATEGIES LAW ENFORCMENT School Programming Programs Community Policing Traffic Enforcement Pre-School Safety Fatal Vision Patrols in dorms Speed Enforcement Trunk or Treat Rise School Safety College Instruction Operation ID BookMark Rip-off Cards Officer s Presence in campus buildings Ride-Along-Program Stop-Sign Enforcement Crosswalk Enforcement DUI Enforcement Publications Monthly Newsletter Monthly Table Top Tips University Events National Police Week Officer Dunking Booth Jail & Bail RAD Bicycle Safety Student Orientation International Student Orientation On Line Info Traffic Warnings YouTube clips (see section 5) Campus Security Tips Patrol Strategies Police Presence Points Parking Zone Checks Building Patrols Crime Analysis Analysis of crime occurrence on campus to effectively apply resources and reduce crime. Investigations Accident Investigations Criminal Investigations (independently and together with our local law enforcement partners) Parking Enforcement Enforcement of parking regulations on campus property. Programs Pedestrian Safety Tips Programs Student Escort Service Crime Alerts Charger-Watch Silent Witness Daily Crime Logs Safe Holiday Parking 8

9 Picture 8: Communication Officers display their support for curbing crimes on campus, such as Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse. Picture 9: Officer Dunking Booth during the 2013 Week of Welcome in front of the University Center proved to be a very popular attraction for students. 9

10 Picture 10: Children on campus learn at a very young age that police officers are here to help. Picture 11: UAHPD supports Concerns of Police Survivors each year with the Blue Ribbon Campaign. 10

11 Picture 12: Halloween 2013: Trunk-Or-Treat event for UAH s community. 8. Emergency Phones The ubiquitous Blue Light Emergency Phones are strategically located throughout campus and connect the caller directly with the UAH PD Communication Center. Picture 13: Solar powered Blue Light Phone at UAH s lake area on John Wright Drive. 11

12 9. Reduction of Crime Strategic application of resources During the first half of 2013, the campus experienced an increase in the number of vehicles burglarized and theft offenses in parking areas on campus. In response, a new tactic was introduced to address these occurrences. In the early summer of 2013, strategically selected locations, defined as Police Presence Points, and the division of UAH s campus in Parking Area Zones, was implemented. Through the combination of both strategies, crime in campus parking areas has decreased by 42% Police Presence Point (PPP) A PPP, defined as a specific location on campus which is known to be a point of access for the public to university property. The purpose of the PPPs is to discourage criminally minded individuals planning to commit a crime on campus, to enter in the first place. Patrol Officers remain at each of the five established PPP s for a period of time during their shift to increase police visibility and deter crime. Additional temporary PPP s can be established when an incident demands police presence. The public and the university community have recognized the increased presence and have provided positive feedback to officers. Parking Area Zones (PAZ) UAH s campus is now divided into three PAZ s. Each patrol officer checks the assigned area at least three times during his shift. This coordinated presence has increased officers visibility and significantly reduced crime in campus parking areas. 10. Vision UAHPD is currently evaluating a plan which will include campus buildings in concept of Police Presence Points and Parking Area Zones. It is a goal of the department to focus on deterring crime inside buildings. 12