WHAT WE DO

The Rice University Police Department takes the lead in providing a safer environment for the university community by protecting persons and property. To achieve this protection, RUPD maintains patrols to deter and detect crime, to report fires and safety hazards, and to control traffic flow on campus. The department coordinates emergency response to the campus by outside agencies, such as ambulance and fire service.

The police department also is responsible for investigating crimes on campus. To ensure the security of the campus, it is important that members of the community promptly report all crimes and emergencies — including personal injuries, fire and traffic accidents — to RUPD. If requested by the complainant, RUPD will either assist in filing charges with the district attorney or describe other options for handling the matter.

When RUPD is informed of a serious crime on campus or in the campus vicinity, a crimealert
bulletin is distributed throughout the community. Also, crime logs are printed in the student newspaper, the Rice Thresher, and are available on the RUPD website at
http://rupd.rice.edu/safety.cfm and at the police department.

RUPD also handles requests for service, such as escorting, assisting with starting cars, and unlocking building and room doors. These requests will be handled as promptly as possible but will be prioritized.

In all functions, members of the police department have a public relations role in rendering information and assistance to faculty, staff, students and visitors.