UNIVERSITY POLICE JURISTICTION
Security Policies and Procedures

Campus law enforcement authority, its working relationship with state and local police, and the need for accurate and prompt reporting of all crimes to police, including timely warnings of crimes that represent a threat to the campus community

a) UTPD jurisdiction includes the main campus, the J. J. Pickle Research Center, the Brackenridge Tract along Town Lake, Bee Cave Research Center west of Austin, Paisano Ranch southwest of Austin, the Montopolis Research Center in southeast Austin, the Marine Science Institute at Port Aransas, the Winedale Historical Center near Round Top, the McDonald Observatory in west Texas, and several intramural fields and other Austin area properties owned by The University. UTPD's commissioned police officers are fully empowered by the state and have authority to stop vehicles, make arrests, and enforce all laws. UTPD has a cooperative arrangement with the Austin Police Department as well as the Travis County Sheriff's Office. UTPD maintains close liaison with the Texas Department of Public Safety. UTPD's Crime Prevention Unit provides a wide range of services and educational programs designed to promote campus security and that aid in anticipating and minimizing potential dangers to the population and property of The University. These include security surveys, crime prevention presentations, updates on alarms and security systems, recommendations for security systems in new buildings, bicycle registration, engraving services, security device lending programs (for use during vacation periods), and a campus escort van service. UTPD works with student and other campus media to help educate the university community in crime prevention and reporting.

b) It is of critical importance that criminal activity be reported immediately and as accurately as possible, as outlined in A.1. above. Police investigations, whether by UTPD or the Austin Police Department, are hampered by the passage of time and incomplete or inaccurate information. In addition, some crimes pose risks or dangers that must be reported without delay to the campus community to minimize potential harm to individuals and their property. UT police and the University administration work closely to determine, on a case-by-case basis, when the campus community should be placed on alert regarding potential threats to the safety of its members.

c) The University encourages its professional counseling and appropriate health services staff to inform persons seeking their services of the procedures to report crimes on a voluntary, confidential basis for inclusion in The University's annual disclosure of crime statistics. This process is employed at the discretion of the professional counseling and health services staff, as they deem appropriate.