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Campus Police

The Campus Police Department is responsible for the safety and security of the campus and the University community.

The UTHSC campus boasts a current population of approximately 6,900 faculty, staff, and students. As in all communities, public safety, crime, and the loss of property are a daily concern. This site reflects our commitment to providing services in a professional manner to the public which we serve. It is our hope that you will find everything here that you need to know about safety, security, and police services.

Phone Numbers

Emergency Police Response: Dial x8-4444 from a university phone for immediate police, fire, or medical response. From a non-university phone or cell phone, dial 901.448.4444.
911 Calls: When you are on UTHSC campus property, call Campus Police Dispatch 901.448.4444 for 911 calls. 
Non-Emergency Police Response: For non-emergency police response on campus, dial 901.448.4444.
Inclement Weather Closing Information: Dial x8-8423 (x8-8ice) from a campus phone for inclement weather closing information. From a non-university phone, dial 901.448.8423.

Security Desk Locations and Telephone Numbers


Location Telephone Number
CDC (CDD) Desk 901.448.2056
CHIPS/SIMS Center Desk 901.448.9114
Dunn Dental (College of Dentistry) Desk 901.448.2758
GEB Desk 901.448.2567
Mooney Desk 901.448.3611
Pauline Desk 901.448.1583
College of Pharmacy Desk 901.448.1007
Madison Plaza Desk 901.448.2566
RBL Desk 901.448.4050


 

TTY (Speech and/or Hearing Impaired)

The UTHSC Campus Police Dispatch uses a TTY (text telephone) device to provide access to communications for the speech and/or hearing impaired. 

After typing your emergency and your address, try to answer any questions that the call taker may ask. Questions will not delay police response and will ensure that assistance is dispatched to the correct location.

The TTY (Speech and/or Hearing Impaired) phone number is 901.448.6889 (901.44TO.TTY) off Campus or (xTO.TTY) on Campus.

Safety Escorts

During the evening hours until early morning, if you would like a member of the Campus Police department to provide a safety escort to your vehicle or workstation in the Medical District area call 901.448.4444.

Safety escorts are also provided for anyone in the last trimester of a pregnancy, or anyone with a temporary injury. These cases are handled on an individual basis by the Campus Police administration.

View the flyer for details.

Mission

The Mission of the Campus Police Department is to support the research and educational mission of the UTHSC by providing the university community and its visitors with a safe environment in which to learn, work, live, and grow.

Core Values

We will accomplish our Mission by maintaining a commitment to serve the community with excellence. We will also serve in a professional, courteous manner, while affording dignity and respect to all individuals.

 

 

Statutes/Authority
The University of Tennessee and its Board of Trustees, through a State Police Commission authorized by T.C.A. 49-7-118, et seq., may establish a University police service. Police officers receive the Commission on Peace Officers Standard and Training (POST) certification. They have general police powers, including powers of arrest, necessary to enforce Federal and State laws as well as the university rules and regulations.
Organization

The chief of police functions as the administrative head of the department.

The organizational structure of the UT Campus Police is comprised of the Director/Chief of police, Assistant Chief of police, lieutenant of police, sergeants of police, police officers, community service officer, security officers, police dispatch supervisor, police dispatchers, and clerical personnel.

Law Enforcement

On all property owned, operated or controlled by UT, its police officers have the responsibility for the detection and suppression of criminal activities. This is accomplished through the enforcement of federal laws, state laws, ordinances, and the University of Tennessee regulations. The enforcement process is carried out through a variety of discretionary alternatives, such as arrest and incarceration, detention and referral reporting, and investigations.

Jurisdiction

Campus Police officers are empowered “to enforce all state laws as well as rules and regulations of the ... Board of Trustees.” The authority granted “extends to all facilities or property owned, leased, or operated by the...Board of Trustees, including any public roads or right-of-way which are contiguous to or within the perimeter of such facilities or property.”

As set forth by the statute and as a matter of policy, these officers are authorized and expected to exercise full police powers necessary while on UT property, as defined above. Officers may also exercise full police powers on “public roads or right-of-way which are contiguous to or within the perimeter” of The UT Health Science Center campus; such action, however, must be limited by the following guidelines:

The Shift Supervisor of each shift is required to respond to all such incidents on the perimeter of the campus in a lawful, prudent manner. The Memphis Police Department must be advised at the onset of any off-campus police action, and the matter will, if appropriate, be turned over to the MPD upon its arrival at the scene.

The Campus Police Department has entered into a Mutual Aid Agreement with the City of Memphis and the Memphis Police Department extending statutory authority to the Medical Center District.

May 22, 2024