Mission Statement & Authority

Law Enforcement Authority

Under the authority of Article 51.203, Texas Education Code, UT Health Science Center at Tyler police are commissioned peace officers with primary jurisdiction over all counties wherein property is owned, leased, rented or otherwise under the control of the University of Texas. UT Health Science Center at Tyler police officers are armed and are most often in uniform establishing visibility in the campus community, and to act as a deterrent against crime. All reported criminal incidents occurring upon the UTHSCT campus are investigated by UTHSCT officers within a cooperative relationship maintained with local municipal police agencies, county sheriff’s departments, FBI and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Mission Statement

The mission of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler Police Department is to provide a safe and secure campus for members of the university community, emergency services and needed community services while maintaining a well-trained and efficient work force.

1. Minimize crime by encouraging community involvement in crime prevention efforts, providing proactive patrol coverage of the campus, responding quickly to reported incidents and offenses, conducting thorough investigations and maintaining a comprehensive crime prevention program.
2. Provide emergency services and coordinate with the Safety Department to develop safety programs for the University, identify safety hazards and concerns and work with Safety and other departments to minimize any hazards found. The emergency service area includes timely response to medical problems and facilitating response by outside agencies, such as ambulance or fire units, as required.
3. Provide building security and access control for university facilities so that a safe working and educational environment can be maintained for the patients, visitors and employees.
4. Provide an effective enforcement program that will ensure compliance with university rules and regulations as well as state and federal law.
5. Provide needed community services. These services include duties such as assisting stranded motorists, providing jump starts, unlocking vehicles, unlocking rooms and administrative offices, and providing escorts for patients, visitors and employees during hours of darkness.
6. Provide adequate training to members of the department to insure they maintain a high level of proficiency to better serve the university community.