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Frequently Asked Questions
 

What happens to someone who is arrested on campus?

When someone is placed under arrest he/she is transported to the City of San Antonio Magistrate’s Office, located at 401 South Frio Street, where they will appear before a magistrate. If the person is a student of the University, he/she will be referred to the Judicial Affairs office as well. The individual may also be referred to Judicial Affairs, be trespassed from the University, or be issued a court appearance citation instead of a physical arrest.

What do I do if I receive a citation?

There are a few different forms of citations or “tickets,” including Parking Citation, Warning Citation, Campus Citation, and Court Appearance Citation. If you receive:
Parking Ticket - You will have the option of either paying the amount noted on the citation at Fiscal Services, or by appealing the citation. Go to www.utsa.edu/parking/ for more information.
Warning Citation - A warning generally does not involve a fine or penalty. Warnings are to gain voluntary compliance with the traffic laws of the state and the rules and regulations of the university.
Campus Citation - A campus citation involves a university fine only. You do not have to go to court and the citation does not go on your driving record. You have the option of paying the amount of the citation at Fiscal Services or appealing the citation. Go to www.utsa.edu/parking/ for more information.
Court Appearance Citation - The officer and your copy of the citation will indicate when and where to appear in a Justice of the Peace Court for the offense charged. You must appear in court on the scheduled date and time listed on the citation. Failure to appear will result in an arrest warrant for you.

Where do I get a parking permit?

The Parking Division is no longer part of the Police Department. For parking, permits and shuttle information, please go to the UTSA Parking & Transportation Services web site.

What should I do if I am involved in a traffic accident on campus?

If you are involved in a traffic accident, contact the University Police as soon as possible at 210.458.4242 or 210.458.4911, or use an emergency call box phone. Be prepared to tell the Police Telecommunicator where the accident occurred, whether or not there are any injuries, how many vehicles are involved, and the colors and types of the vehicles. A Police Officer will respond to your location.

If the police find something illegal in my room but it belongs to my roommate, do I get in trouble as well?

Whether or not you get in trouble for something illegal being in your room is determined upon whether or not you were in possession of that item. If contraband is found in a common area of the room, an area that both you and your roommate use regularly, you both could be charged with possessing it. This is defined through the Texas Penal Code as “possession” (means actual care, custody, control, or management). If the contraband were found in an area that is under the exclusive control of your roommate, such as a top desk drawer that can be locked with a key, then possession would be exclusive to the person who controls that area. The recommended way to handle a situation in which you know your roommate possesses an illegal substance or other contraband would be to notify the University Police Department and allow us to investigate the matter appropriately.

What exactly is the University Police Department’s jurisdiction? Can you stop somebody off campus?

According to the Texas Education Code, the jurisdiction of campus police officers who work for state institutions of higher learning includes all counties in which property is owned, leased, rented, or otherwise under the control of the institution of higher education.
Within a peace officer's primary jurisdiction, a peace officer commissioned under Education Code Section 51.203 is vested with all the powers, privileges, and immunities of peace officers, may arrest without a warrant any person who violates a law of the state in accordance with Chapter 14, Code of Criminal Procedure and may enforce all traffic laws on streets and highways.

The University Police Department maintains close working relationships with the San Antonio Police Department, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, federal, state, and other law enforcement agencies and routinely shares investigative information. The University Police Department also works closely with the San Antonio Fire Department and EMS.

How safe will I be on campus?

Being safe means different things to different people. Some people measure safety by the amount of crime on campus. Typically, most university and college campuses experience less crime than their surrounding communities. However, there are no guarantees in being absolutely safe. The University Police Department has a comprehensive crime prevention program that assists community members to reduce their risk of becoming a victim of crime. For more information, see www.utsa.edu/utsapd/cp_info.htm.

If my car breaks down, will a university police officer help me?

The Parking & Transportation Services Department provides a Campus Courtesy Vehicle for assistance to motorists on campus with such problems as dead batteries, flat tires, out of gas or keys locked in their vehicle. You can call 210.458.4242 or use any building, elevator or parking lot emergency phone or intercom to request assistance. The police department will not purchase gasoline, but will provide transportation assistance to obtain fuel.

I am a parent whose son or daughter will be away from home for the first time. I am concerned about any potential problems they may incur. Is there anything I can do?

Moving from home and being on your own for the first time is a major life step for most young people. They must accept a higher level of responsibility for their behavior and safety. This is part of the maturation process through which they become responsible adults.

One thing parents can do to help their son or daughter successfully progress through this process is to remain involved. Parents may wish to consider the philosophy that is practiced by many student affairs departments: support and challenge.

Young people need support to help make good decisions or address issues in a responsible manner. Parents should stay in contact with their student(s) and discuss important life issues such as the use of alcohol, tobacco products or drugs, dating, or personal safety. Students should be encouraged to contact the police department with any questions or problems they may have. A good contact is the Crime Prevention Division at 210.877.4006.

If I observe something suspicious or unusual, should I contact police even if I'm not sure a crime has been committed?

Absolutely. If you see anyone or anything that appears out of place, or just doesn't look or feel right, please let officers know. Your eyes and ears can be a great asset to police. You can also remain anonymous when you report a crime. Go to our Silent Witness site for more information.

What should I do if I am stopped by the University Police?

If you are stopped remember:
• Stay in your car unless the officer advises you otherwise.
• Keep your hands on the steering wheel so the officer can see them.
• Try to stay calm. Getting agitated with the officer or with others will not help the situation.
• Avoid making sudden movements especially toward the floor, rear seat or passenger side of the vehicle.
• Do not reach for your license or other documents until the officer requests them. (Texas law requires drivers to show their license and insurance card upon request)
• If the stop occurs at night, put on your dome/interior lights so the officer can easily see that all is in order.
• If the officer issues you a ticket for reasons that are unclear to you, ask the officer for information, but don’t become argumentative or antagonistic. Accepting a traffic ticket is not an admission of guilt. You can contest the ticket in court for Court Appearance Citations or through an appeal for a Campus Citation.
• Patrol cars are often staffed by only one officer. However, given the inherent dangers of traffic stops, officers almost always have backups when stopping a vehicle. Therefore you might see two or three police vehicles involved in a traffic stop.
• Some offenses prohibit continued operation of the vehicle by the driver. Therefore, in certain situations, an officer may impound a car or ask another licensed driver to drive the car. Officers may not, however, take your car without due cause.
• Remember that students are required to cooperate with the valid directives of University officials, including University police officers. Failure to do so may result in judicial charges (see Student Code of Conduct). In addition Texas State law forbids a person to use physical force to resist an arrest, even if the arrest is later found to be unauthorized.

I need to be fingerprinted for a job; will the University Police Department do this?

Yes, the Police Department does provide this service. Call the Records Clerk at 210.458.4417 to schedule an appointment. There is a $10 service charge. You must bring your own fingerprint cards and have them filled out prior to the appointment.