University Police Officers are licensed Peace Officers as defined under the laws of the State of Texas and thereby have the authority as peace officers. Their primary jurisdiction, under H.B.391, includes all counties in which property is owned, leased, rented, or otherwise under the control of Sam Houston State University.

Historically, the majority of police officers commissioned by the University Police Department have had previous experience with the department as dispatchers, parking control officers and/or foot patrol personnel.

Applicants for the position of Police Officer are required to have completed 60 college hours with plans to complete a college degree at Sam Houston State University. Applicants must possess a TCLEOSE certification.

University Police Officers receive continuing education in the areas of Arrest, Search & Seizure, Child Abuse Recognition, Crime Scene Search and Investigation, Use of Force, Cultural Diversity, Sexual Abuse and others. Officers also receive regular training and qualification in the use of firearms, batons, aerosol agents and defensive tactics. For more information on the position of Police Officer contact the director, Captain Kevin Morris .

Student Assistant Positions

Parking Managment

Foot Patrol

The primary purpose of Foot Patrol members is to provide visibility, security, and safety upon the campus and to advise the University Police of any information concerning activity taking place on the campus. Other duties include escorting students on the main inner campus; reporting suspicious activity within the main inner campus; providing general campus directions to visitors; reporting of defective existing light fixtures within main inner campus; and , other related assignment requested by the department. For more information contact Lieutenant Tim Carroll.

Hall Security

Students employed with Hall Security assist the University Police Department. Hall Security is an integral part of the University Police Department's effort to help ensure that all persons within its jurisdiction are free from criminal encroachment, secure to their environment, and live in a peaceful community.

The primary goal of Hall Security is to deter criminal activity by insuring that residence hall entrances remain secure, and to maintain a visible presence outside the residence halls, on the grounds and in the parking lots.

Duties of Hall Security members include regular checks of exterior doors and windows on residence halls in assigned areas; report any suspicious activity or persons to the University Police Dispatcher; and conduct regular checks of parking lots in assigned areas. For more information contact Lieutenant Tim Carroll .

Telecommunications Operator

The University Police Department staffs the Dispatch Office 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including weekends and holidays. the responsibilities of the Telecommunications Operators include acting as the link between the public and the Police; accurately relaying information; answering calls for service via radio, telephone, emergency lines, alarm panels, and through person to person contact; providing general campus directions and information to visitors; checking in and out equipment to Parking Control, Foot Patrol, and Hall Security members; as well as summoning emergency maintenance, fire and ambulance services; making inquires into the Texas and National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS and NLETS) and the University Police Department's Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. For more information contact Sandra Owens.