The Field Operations Division is the most visible division within the University of Arizona Police Department, providing patrol operations 24 hours a day. These services include providing the initial police response to 911 calls for service and investigative follow-up.
Patrol officers work primarily on ABOR-controlled property, but maintain a concurrent patrol boundary and working agreement with the Tucson Police Department. UAPD officers regularly patrol the University community between 8th Street, Lester Street, Euclid Avenue, and Campbell Avenue. Additionally, several subunits make up the Field Operations Division. To learn more about the Field Operations' units or command staff, see below.
Units
The Patrol unit functions with six sergeant-led teams that patrol the campus 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Besides performing basic law enforcement duties for the campus community, patrol officers are responsible for a wide variety of other functions, which include responding to medical emergencies, public assists, and the support of large public events. Officers also patrol on bicycle within the University community, easily riding over 25 miles per shift. Bicycle units answer calls for police services and monitor pedestrian and bicycle laws. Officers on bike patrol are readily accessible to the public and have easier access to the interior of campus.
The University of Arizona Police Department is committed to traffic safety on the University of Arizona campus, adjacent streets and planning boundaries. In order to accomplish this task, various methods of enforcement are employed. Perhaps the most visible is the use of motorcycle officers. Motorcycle officers are specifically tasked with enforcement of those moving violations that have the highest potential for creating safety issues. Enforcement is not only directed to vehicles but also to bicycles and pedestrians.
Motorcycle officers are also responsible for the investigation of traffic collisions on campus streets and properties. Many times UAPD motor officers can be seen also investigating collisions on adjacent city streets. This collaborative effort with the City of Tucson Police Department helps promote safety and orderly traffic flow in and around the University. Our motor officers have attended specialized training that allows for them to conduct more in-depth collision investigations including collision reconstruction.
Each motor officer is equipped with the latest speed measuring devices including LIDAR (laser) equipment. Officers have no quota to meet and have discretion of issuing a citation, written warning or verbal warning for violations.
UAPD also utilizes a speed measuring trailer from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety (GOHS). This trailer is placed around campus to help educate the motoring public by showing drivers their speed. The trailer can also be utilized to conduct traffic counts that assist in analyzing campus street usage and identifying areas where speed violations occur. It isn't uncommon to see the speed trailer accompanied by a motor officer enforcing speed limit laws.
The University of Arizona Police Department practices strict enforcement concerning DUI. UAPD has and continues to participate in deployments targeting alcohol enforcement and participates with the Southern Arizona DUI Task Force.
If you have any complaints about traffic issues on campus we would like to hear from you. We conduct traffic surveys and respond to those areas identified as needing enforcement.
For more information, please contact: Lt. Mendoza at 520-626-4090 or email Lt. Mendoza
The UAPD Training Unit, headed by Sgt. Martin Ramirez, oversees the training of all UAPD employees and is responsible for the yearly continuing training and certification of police officers from the moment of hire and throughout the officer’s employment at UAPD. The Training Unit works with the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (AZ POST) to ensure officer certifications remain current. This is accomplished through ongoing training in such areas as: legal updates, search and seizure, firearms, TASER, driving, defensive tactics, less lethal munitions and impact weapons.
The Training Unit is also involved with the initial certification process for recruit police officers. The Training Unit serves as the departmental liaison for recruits as they attend the Southern Arizona Law Enforcement Training Center’s (SALETC) 17-week Basic Peace Officer Academy. Following the academy, the Training Unit coordinates post-basic training for the new officers and monitors the Field Training Phase that the new officers must complete before they are released to operate in a solo capacity.
Melissa Valenzuela is the University of Arizona Police Department's Special Events Coordinator. Her responsibilities include working with UAPD command staff, University departments, and the Campus Use Committee to assess security needs, billing, and staffing for campus events.
There are many campus events that require supplemental police and security support. These include sporting events, concerts, lectures, workshops, testing, parties, and other special events. The Special Events section is responsible for coordinating these events to staff them with police and security personnel. Pay for personnel working these events is based on their salary, compensation polices of the University of Arizona, and the UAPD. UAPD cannot guarantee the provisioning of police or security personnel for all special events.
It is recommended the special event request form be completed and submitted no later than fourteen (14) calendar days prior to an event.
If you require more information regarding scheduling of police or security services, please call 520-626-6728. If you need security or police for a special event, please complete the online special events request form and submit it to the attention of the Special Events Coordinator, Melissa Valenzuela. Special Event forms may be submitted via fax: 520-626-9460, via email, or turned in at UAPD: 1852 E. First St., Bldg #100, Monday - Friday, 8:00AM -5:00PM. Once the request is received you will be contacted for confirmation.
Special Events Quick Facts
- Special Events/Business Office hours of operation: 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday
- Requests & general inquiries: 520-626-6728, fax 520-626-9460, email Melissa Valenzuela
- Special Events Assistant Chief Robert Sommerfeld, 520-626-3289, email Chief Sommerfeld
- Special Events Supervisor Lt. Mario Leon, 520-621-9530, email Lt. Leon
The University of Arizona Police Department currently has 1 active service K-9. Maggie, and her respective handler, Detective Nicole Nelson, are in process to complete training as a crisis support K-9. In addition to assisting UAPD officers, the K-9 unit assists outside agencies such as Tucson Police, Tucson Fire Department, Pima County Sheriff's Department, and others upon request. Retired UAPD K9s' Bono (Oct. 2015), Hunter (Jan. 2016), Jessie (June 2016), Toby (Feb. 2022), and Skip (Oct. 2023), are now living a relaxing "dog's life" with their handler's family.
