The Law Enforcement Exploring program is a national program open to all university students in good academic standing, regardless of age, that are interested in pursuing a career in public safety. This is a year-round program that exposes the explorer to various law enforcement training topics. Explorers also support the Police Department in conjunction with crime prevention, awareness initiatives and special events on or about our campuses. Those explorers that complete the Basic and Advanced Explorer Academy may be authorized to ride-along with the Police Officers on patrol. Participants must be at least 17 years old, and able to pass a criminal background check.

The Citizens Police Academy is a 6-week program designed to give members of our campus community training and information on a broad range of topics. The training program is offered in two-hour training sessions covering police operations, use of force, community oriented policing, crime prevention. Students, faculty and staff completing the program may continue to be actively involved as part of our “Volunteers in Policing” (VIP) group to promote crime prevention and campus safety initiatives. Participants must be at least 17 years old, and able to pass a criminal background check.

CERT is a critical program in the effort to engage everyone at the University in making their communities safer, more prepared, and more resilient when incidents occur. CERT is a nationwide training program supported by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The Police Department and our Office of Emergency Management actively supports the expansion of CERT training in the community. Participants are trained to assist public safety personnel in disaster response and recovery operations. Additionally, participants gain valuable knowledge to improve individual safety and the safety of other during a critical incident.

Coffee with a Cop is a national initiative to bring police officers and the community members they serve together–over coffee–to discuss issues and learn more about each other. This event is held throughout the year. A registered student organization or University department may request this event via email to police@tamusa.edu.

AWARE is an acronym for Assessing your surroundings While remaining Aware and being Realistic about your Environment. This starts with personal awareness, being aware of other’s perception of you, as well as being aware of your surroundings.

Participants will learn basic self defense skills that can be used if they are targeted and/or attacked. Individuals will be able to constantly assess their surroundings while remaining aware and being realistic about your environment.

Operation Identification (Operation ID) is a national burglary prevention initiative for the use in homes and businesses. The Operation ID program involves marking property with an identifying number and recording serial numbers as a means of discouraging burglary and theft. It also provides police with a way to identify property should it be stolen and recovered. The Department’s Crime Prevention Coordinator provides engraving services during the move-in dates for the campus residences. Engraving services throughout the year may be scheduled via email to police@tamusa.edu.

This Department conducts periodic Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) surveys on selected facilities. These assessments look at lighting, landscaping, fencing, cameras and other natural and mechanical safety measures that can enhance safety and reduce the fear of crime.

Our Department offers two service options for safety escorts to students, staff, or faculty members who feel unsafe walking from one place to another on the campus. The primary option for Safe Walk is a check-in alert timer through the SafeZone Campus Safety app, (http://www.tamusa.edu/upd/safezone-app.html). The app sends an alert notification to the University Police Department for Police Officer response to the individual’s location if the timer expires and the pre-set alert is not deactivated.

For a traditional escort between locations on campus, simply call the University Police non-emergency number (210) 784-1900 to request a safety escort at the time the escort is needed.

Found property may be turned in 24/7 to the University Police Department in the Madla building, room 120. Our staff will secure the property for safekeeping and make an effort to locate the owner. To report or inquire about lost property, call our non-emergency number (210) 784-1900.

Several other training and safety presentations are offered by the Police Department and our safety offices. To view a comprehensive list of our offerings, click on the TRAINING link in the menu to the right.