Campus Security
University of Kentucky
ABOUT
University of Kentucky Police Department
University of Kentucky Security Personnel has been loyally serving the students and campus for over 100 years (UKY.edu). In the earlier years of the service, the responsibilities included “simply locking doors and providing physical security,” with the actual department being located in a room “described as being not much larger than a broom closet” (UKPD History). In response to increasing crime rates and on-campus demands, Kentucky legislature was passed, granting public state universities the right to form their own campus police department (UKPD History). Beginning in 1970, UKPD was a troop of 30 strong, and since then has nearly doubled in size (UKPD History). Each officer now has to participate and graduate from the 18-week long Department of Criminal Justice Training Basic Officer Training Academy (UKPD History). All of these efforts over the years have contributed to the safety and wellbeing of students and faculty on campus.
History
University of Kentucky. "The UK Police Department has a long history on the campus." University of Kentucky Police Department. The University of Kentucky. February 2, 2009. http://www.uky.edu/Police/history.html
University of Kentucky’s Police Department is just one of the governing bodies that works towards providing a safe and gratifying experience for each and every student, faculty member and visitor on University of Kentucky’s campus. UKPD is built on the foundation of six core values: professionalism, integrity, respect, customer service, responsibility and accountability (About the UK Police Department). Focusing on these values is crucial in order for UKPD to create the safe environment on campus that is desired. In addition to these values, UKPD also offer a number of community service programs in attempt to further help the UK community. For example, SAFECATS is a program offered directly to students by UKPD (UK Police Department SAFECATS). SAFECATS is the Safe And Free Escort for Campus Area Travelling Students (UK Police Department SAFECATS). This program gives students the secure piece of mind that they can safely escorting to their destination (UK Police Department SAFECATS). Escorts are typically Air Force ROTC students that undergo training before being permitted to be a part of SAFECATS (UK Police Department SAFECATS). SAFECATS is available from Sunday to Thursday, starting at 8:30pm and lasting until 1:30am (UK Police Department SAFECATS).
Meet UKPD
