Patrol Division
The UTSA Police Department’s (UTSAPD) Patrol Division is the primary provider of police services for the university community. The division is commanded by a police captain and deploys more than 30 officers on a 24-hour basis. We are prepared to respond to emergency and non-emergency calls at each of the university’s campuses and satellite locations, which are divided into patrol districts.
Each of the university’s diverse campuses receives individualized patrol strategies and techniques. No matter the location, UTSAPD makes every effort to ensure the community feels safe.
Capt. Thomas Calucci
University Police
Patrol Division Operations
The Patrol Division provides continuous availability of field units to provide the following services:
- Respond to calls for service
- Provide visible patrol throughout the university
- Detect and apprehend persons actively involved in criminal activity
- Recover and return lost and stolen property
- Provide for the safe movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic
- Perform the initial investigation of criminal offenses
- Attempt to reduce immediate and potentially hazardous situations to the community
Emergency Response Team
The Patrol Division manages the Emergency Response Team (ERT), a group of police officers specially trained to respond to active threat situations. The ERT provides special skills and equipment to address critical incidents involving threats to life.
Traffic Enforcement
We frequently deploy motorcycle patrols on all campuses to specifically enforce traffic laws. This is done to reduce traffic collisions (and resulting injuries) and to facilitate the safe and expedient flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic. These efforts result in safer roadways and streets, fewer injuries and reduced property damage, and have proven to be effective in reducing the number of collisions.
Field Training
One of the most critical programs we manage is our field training program for new police officers. After each officer graduates from the police academy, he or she is required to go through a rigorous three- to four-month field training program before they are released to work patrol on their own. This program encompasses all aspects of being a police officer, and new officers must have a training officer with them the entire time. UTSAPD’s professional development section completes a quality control review of each trainee’s program to ensure he or she has met all requirements.
Patrol Techniques
We strive to use a true community policing model by connecting with the community as we patrol. Beyond using our marked police vehicles to patrol and deter criminal activity, we frequently deploy bicycle patrols, which lends itself well to a campus environment. Our officers regularly conduct foot patrols to be more approachable and accessible to the Roadrunner community.
Canine Operations
UTSAPD is developing a proposal to create a canine unit that will allow us to better support our growing university community, large-scale events at UTSA and the needs of patrol operations. Our objective is to bolster the efficiency of our police force in tracking down and apprehending violent offenders, detecting evidence, conducting building searches, providing support to patrol officers for a variety of calls for service, providing demonstrations for the community and attending university events. The canine unit will perform direct patrol duties when not assigned to specific events.
Community Training
UTSAPD collaborates with the campus community on a daily basis. We strive to resolve emergency situations and remain on high alert to prevent and contain threats to our campus
Many of our police officers are specially trained in active shooter and active threat response situations. We often partner with our Community Affairs Section to train students, faculty and staff on how to respond to active threats. We encourage you to explore the Active Shooter and Threat Resources page to learn more.
