University Police Department

• University Police Department is available 24/7
• Location: Uptown Campus, East of Indian Quad
• Phone: (518)442-3131 - From Campus Phones: 911
• E-mail: UPDWeb@uamail.albany.edu

*Students are encouraged to program (518) 442-3131 into their cell phones.

The University Police Department (UPD) is here to serve the UAlbany community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. UPD utilizes a Community Policing model working with students, faculty, and staff campus-wide to maintain the highest levels of personal safety and security possible, enabling you to pursue your educational goals. The officers routinely visit residence halls to discuss safety issues.

1. Reporting a Crime
   Students, faculty, staff, and guests of the University at Albany are encouraged to report emergencies, criminal activity, and any suspicious conditions, subjects, or vehicles to UPD at (518) 442-3131, or 911 from an on-campus phone, or by simply picking up a blue-light phone. You can also use the online anonymous incident reporting system by logging onto the UPD Web site. The officers will conduct a thorough investigation of all reported incidents and offenses.
2. Campus Crime Information
   All campus crime and incident reports are posted promptly on the University's Web site and are available to the public on UPD's police blotter. These reports are also distributed to the student newspaper and other offices across campus. In cases where a reported crime appears to threaten campus safety, the University takes additional steps to alert the campus community of what has occurred and keep you apprised of what steps are being taken. In addition, you can view student consumer information related to crime and other information such as alcohol and drug policies; athletic program participation and financial support; student financial assistance; and the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) on the “Right to Know” Web site at the “Right to Know” Web site.

3. Emergency Phone System
   There are more than 330 Blue Light emergency telephones – easily recognized by a blinking or solid blue light just above the phone box – located in a variety of locations around the University, including parking lots, elevators, and classrooms. In an emergency, simply open the phone box and pick up the phone and you will be directly connected to a University Police Dispatcher. Along with the 911 Emergency System, Blue Lights give students immediate phone access to police, fire, and emergency medical services.
4. Programs
   The following safety programs and initiatives are a sample of what is offered to maximize your safety at the University. A more extensive list is available on the UPD Web site. If you would like more information about any of the programs UPD offers, contact UPD via e-mail.
   • Don't Walk Alone Safety Escort Service – This is a volunteer safety escort service which provides safety escorts on the Uptown campus.
   • WhistleWatch - This program is designed to alert University students, faculty and staff as well as community residents in local neighborhoods in Albany of a safety problem occurring in the area. WhistleWatch works by a person blowing his/her whistle to signal trouble or if a person hears someone blowing a whistle, to immediately call the police. Pick up a whistle and brochure at, among other locations, the University Police Department which is open 24/7.
   • Fatal Vision – This program uses specifically designed goggles to stimulate the effect that drug and alcohol intoxication of varying levels has on a person’s balance, coordination, and vision, allowing the participants to realize these effects while sober and rational.
   • Operation ID – This program focuses on ways to prevent the theft of personal property, to limit the likelihood that you will be chosen as a target of theft, and to increase the likelihood that, if property is taken from you, the police will be able to return recovered property to its rightful owner.
   • R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense) for Women – This is a program of realistic self-defense tactics and techniques for women 11 years of age and up. The R.A.D. system is a comprehensive, women-only course that begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction, and risk avoidance, and progresses on to the basics of hands-on defense training.
   • R.A.D. (Resisting Aggression Defensively) for Men – This program’s primary focus is the realistic development of basic self-defense options for men, before and during situations of imminent or actual assault.