The University of Chicago

Search:

   

Community Safety

University Police

FAQ

Safety Resources

University of Chicago Police

The University of Chicago Police Department (UCPD) has worked to keep our communities safe for more than 40 years. This professionally trained force operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from 39th to 64th Streets and Cottage Grove Avenue to Lake Shore Drive.

Our more than 140 state-certified officers have full police powers. They respond to emergency calls, patrol neighborhoods, listen to residents’ concerns, conduct food and toy collections for neighbors in need, and more. Their reputation for quick response is a powerful force in the community; some residents say the UCPD responds faster than the Chicago Police.

To reach the UCPD in an emergency, dial 773.702.8181 or press the red button on one of the more than 300 emergency phones in the area. For non-emergency numbers, see Contact University Police.

• Services
• Training and Hiring Practices
• Emergency Phones
• Contact University Police
• Commendations & Complaints
• Complaint Review Process
• Independent Review Committee

Services

The University of Chicago Police Department (UCPD) responds quickly in an emergency, but that’s not all they do. Here are just a few of the services we provide to residents throughout our patrol area.

Umbrella Coverage. If you’re concerned about your safety as you walk in our patrol area, call us at 773.702.8181. We’ll send the first available patrol car to follow you to your destination.

Safety Awareness Presentations. UCPD officers regularly attend community meetings and events to share safety information. To schedule a visit to your event, call 773.834.3081.

House Watch. We can provide special attention to your house while you’re away. Call 773.702.8190 to give us the details.

Bicycle Registration. You can register your bike with the UCPD. Just come to the dispatch center at 5555 South Ellis Avenue, and we’ll give your bike a numbered identification sticker and put it on record with the Chicago Police Department.

Jumper Cables. Car won’t start? Call 773.702.8181, and an officer will bring you a set of jumper cables. (The officer can”t use the squad car to jump your car, however.)

Whistlestop. Blowing a whistle brings help when you need it. You can get a whistle at the dispatch center (5555 South Ellis Avenue) for $2.

Laptop Stop Tags. A laminated bar code on your laptop computer will allow it to be traced if lost or stolen. Call 773.834.3081 for details.

Training and Hiring Practices

One of the ways we protect your safety is by making sure that each officer on the University of Chicago Police force is carefully chosen and extensively trained.

Hiring Practices

The University Police Department (UCPD) hires officers in accordance with University hiring policies. We look for officers with a friendly demeanor, good communication skills, and an understanding of the community. Applicants are given a written examination, a psychological screening, and a drug screening. Applications are reviewed by a three-person board of members of the UCPD.

Training Practices

UCPD officers get more extensive training than Chicago Police officers do.

• First, recruits complete 8 to 10 weeks of training at the UCPD to learn about working with students, faculty, staff, and the community. They also learn about the service orientation of the department and about special University police activities, such as the umbrella coverage service.
• Next, recruits undergo 36 weeks of training at the Chicago Police Academy. The training is consistent with the requirements of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. Once the training is completed, the officers must pass a certification examination administered by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board.

Emergency Phones

If you find yourself in trouble on the street, look for a blue light atop a white pole signifying one of the University’s more than 300 emergency phones.

When you press the red button inside the phone box, your location will be automatically transmitted to the University Police. Whether you speak to the dispatcher or not, an officer or patrol car will come to your aid immediately.

• Emergency phone locations map

Contact University Police

From off campus
773.702.8181

Emergency (from on-campus phones)
123

For safety awareness presentations, Whistlestop program, or laptop stop tags call Crime Prevention Sgt. JoCathy Roberts
773.702.8190

Email
cops@uchicago.edu

Address
5555 South Ellis Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60637

Independent Review Committee for the UCPD
773.702.6815

Commendations & Complaints

Have you had a good or bad experience with the University Police? We want to hear about it! You can compliment us, provide feedback, or file a complaint in several ways:

• Talk to the watch commander or supervisor on duty by calling the dispatcher at 773.702.8181
• Evaluate UCPD services using this feedback form or email Jeff Collier
• To make a formal complaint requiring investigation download the Citizen’s Complaint Form. This form must be signed in person by both the complainant and commanding UCPD officer. Appointments to file a complaint can be made by calling UCPD at 773.702.8181. If you are a student at the University, a representative from the Dean of Students Office can assist you by calling 773.834.HELP. Community members needing assistance during the complaint process can contact the Community Affairs Office at 773.702.8195.

Complaint Review Process

The University of Chicago Police Department (UCPD) operates under strict rules and regulations that provide for professional conduct. Occasionally, however, a situation may arise that leads to a formal complaint against the police. Complaints are taken very seriously and investigated thoroughly.

• Each complaint is assigned to a UCPD supervisor for investigation. The investigation process includes formal interviews of all parties concerned.
• Once the investigation has been concluded, the complainant(s) will receive a written response from the executive director of the UCPD explaining the findings and any disciplinary actions taken by the department as a result of a sustained complaint.
• For complaints relating directly or indirectly to issues of excessive force, violation of rights, and abusive language, the investigative report is submitted to the Independent Review Committee for the UCPD for review.
• The committee reports its findings and recommendations to the vice-president for community & government affairs. A report from the committee to the president including all incidents and any recommended changes to policies or procedures is produced annually and distributed widely throughout the campus and community.

Independent Review Committee

The Independent Review Committee is a non-affiliated entity that oversees the operations of the University of Chicago Police Department (UCPD). The committee consists of three faculty members, three students, two staff members, and three community members. Committee members are appointed by the University provost.

The committee’s charge is to:

• Evaluate all complaints relating directly or indirectly to issues of excessive force, violation of rights, and abusive language brought against the UCPD
• Review the actions of the UCPD in handling such complaints
• Make recommendations regarding the department’s policies and procedures when necessary

The committee meets biannually to review UCPD reports and related policy, procedural, and communication issues (read the most recent report and accompanying summary of complaints). Additional meetings may be called to review individual incidents. The current committee chairperson is Law School Clinical Professor Craig Futterman.