The University Police

By virtue of West Virginia state law, University Police Officers have the same responsibilities and authority as that of any other law enforcement officers in the State. Uniformed officers provide 24-hour-a-day patrol protection to the campus, adjacent University-owned facilities and parking lots.

University police officers must satisfactorily complete the sixteen (16) week mandatory basic police training course and be certified as law enforcement officers in the state of West Virginia. All officers receive training in numerous public safety and law enforcement-related subjects and additional in-service and specialized training in firearms, criminal investigation, legal matters, patrol procedures, etc.

Officers are responsible for a full range of public safety and law enforcement related services including the investigation of all crime reports, medical emergencies, fire emergencies, traffic accidents, enforcement of state laws and all other incidents requiring police assistance within our jurisdiction which includes all University owned or controlled properties and/or all properties under the jurisdiction of the West Virginia Board of Trusties.

The Office of Public Safety prepares and submits a monthly report of incidents through a statewide system of crime reporting. These figures routinely become a part of the F.B.I.'s Annual Uniform Crime Report. As a means of better coordinating law enforcement efforts in the immediate area, we share information on arrests and all serious crimes with the Huntington Police Department and Cabell County Sheriff's Department. Serial numbers of vehicles, office equipment and other items of value stolen in our jurisdiction are reported through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

All emergencies, criminal complaints, general requests for service and public safety concerns can be reported directly to the Office of Public Safety by any person in the University community. Dialing 4357 (HELP) from any University phone, or by using one of the emergency/service phones located throughout the campus, will provide direct contact with the police dispatcher 24 hours a day.