Chief's Corner Archive
20 February 2024
It’s funny that a week ago, we got slammed with 13” or more of snow. Not everywhere, but here, in Greeley and the surrounding area. If you drive 20 minutes in any direction, you see places where the snow has melted off completely. But not here. It’s still hanging around. The weather this week will be warmer and I expect this snow will melt and signs of spring are just around the corner. Warmer weather is coming, and with it, more and more people will be getting outdoors.
All kinds of people will be getting outdoors, including the kinds of people who make bad choices about taking other people’s property. A significant way that you can keep from being an attractive target is to remember to take all your belongings out of your car. UNCPD tells everyone we see to remove your valuables and lock your car. Thieves rarely look to enter every vehicle they find. They walk along until they see something inside a car that is worth stealing, then try to steal it. This holds true for Greeley or anywhere else. We help prevent that by making sure that all our valuables are removed from the car and that the car is locked before leaving it parked overnight.
UNCPD is here 24 hours a day. We do patrol the campus all night long. If you see someone that looks suspicious or may not belong on campus, call us. We have pleasant conversations all the time. We won’t accuse someone unless there’s proof they are up to no good. Otherwise, we ask politely and see how we can help.
Call us anytime! 970-351-2245. And please remember to remove your valuables and
lock your car.
Aaron
16 January 2024
Well, I guess the winter cold has officially arrived. Please be smart about your travels when you are outdoors. First, driving in the snow is much different than dry roads. The speed limits are designed for when the roads are dry and clear. Going the posted speed limit on a snowy day is likely too fast to drive safely! The biggest thing to remember is that you need so much more room to stop when driving in snow. Your tires will lose traction super easy when braking. You can’t press the brakes as hard as you normally would, or you will start sliding. So, go slow and give yourself plenty of distance to slow down and stop safely.
The same thing is true for accelerating. When the traffic light turns green, you can’t push the gas pedal the same way you do when it’s dry. The snow sits between your tires and the road and it won’t let your tires grip. Push lightly and consistently until you begin moving. Then, you can push the pedal down more and more until you are at a safe traveling speed. It seems like a simple concept, but on my drive to work this morning, I watched cars with their rear wheels spinning because the driver was accelerating too quickly.
Lastly, and this is dad advice that I am sure the fathers would appreciate, if your vehicle is equipped with 4-wheel drive, that’s great! Please use that when the road is covered in snow. However, 4-wheel drive is not made for dry roads. Nor is it made for tight turns. It’s damaging to your car to drive in 4-wheel drive when the roads are dry or when you try to make sharp turns when all four wheels are engaged. It’s too much to explain in detail here, but take it easy and safely, but remember to go back to 2-wheel drive when the roads are clear. If your car is built for all-wheel drive all the time, then you don’t have to worry about anything.
If you get stuck on campus or need help, call us!
Stay warm!
Aaron
7 December 2023
As I walked around campus today, I was able to see the range of emotions. In Kepner and Guggenheim, there were hurried and focused students on their way to their final exams. In Ross, there were some classrooms and offices that were dark and had the telltale signs of professors and students who were already gone for the season. There were relaxed and excited students that couldn’t seem to get to their car in J Lot fast enough because family is waiting for them. It’s a happy time. It is that time of year that everyone gets a break and a chance to catch up with family and friends.
UNCPD will be here. We remain on duty 24 hours a day during all times. However, while you are away, let me give you the typical dad advice which is – make good choices. There’s lots of fun activities to be had, but make good choices. There will be old friends wanting to hang out, but make good choices. There will time this holiday season to let loose and totally relax, but make good choices.
When you get back, we will be excited to hear about your adventures but then we start the race to Spring Commencement. For some of you, this is your last holiday break during your college career. Enjoy it! But….make good choices.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!
Aaron
16 November 2023
It’s almost time for the five week period where some of the biggest holidays arrive. Those holidays are centered on being grateful for the blessings we have and remembering the close ties we share with family and friends. My hope is that you take this time to unplug. This semester has been busy for everyone. There’s lots of activities, events, studying, papers, and tests. It’s very easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the college life. But for everything that you are involved in, it’s critical to remember your identity.
Why do I say ‘identity’? Identity is truly who you are. Sure, you are a college student or member of staff. But that’s not who you are. That is only what you are doing right now. More importantly, you are someone’s child, someone’s parent, or brother, or sister, or friend. You are a kind person, empathetic person, loyal person, or loving person. Those relationships and character traits are who you are. No matter what else occurs in your life, those things are permanent and comprise your identity. And who you are matters far more than what you do.
I tell this to the officers all the time. “This job is not who you are. It’s only what you do.” Each of the officers is a relative, spouse, parent, or friend. They are kind, empathetic, and patient people who have a heart for service. That’s what their identity is. They just happen to be phenomenal police officers. When you frame it that way, what we do serves as proof of who we are.
So, as this holiday season arrives, remember your who you are. Be intentional about
disconnecting from what you do for a bit, so that you keep that identity rooted in
the things that matter.
Aaron
4 October 2023
With the passage of Senate Bill 217 back in 2020, a mandate was established that all law enforcement agencies implement a body camera program. However, an exception was made for certain state agencies to be exempt, that included the University of Northern Colorado Police Department. Instead of embracing that loophole, the leaders at UNC made the significant financial investment to voluntarily comply with that mandate.
The adoption of body cameras is not a simple process. We have been working for months on building the technical infrastructure, obtaining the equipment, writing policy, and training our department instructors. Right now, a small group of officers have been trained and are conducting a trial phase. This will allow us to work out any bugs in the system and ensure it’s functioning correctly. In October, the entire department is attending training and all officers will be wearing body cameras by Oct. 27th.
When we first adopted body cameras at the Greeley Police Department a few years ago, I was hesitant because it’s not as simple for the officers as just hitting the “record” button. What I found is that the value of what that video footage provides, is actually invaluable. The ability for others to see exactly what the officers saw, what they heard, and what they felt, is critical. The cameras capture not only evidence but a more thorough picture of what occurred. I completely changed my viewpoint on cameras at GPD, and when discussing implementing them at UNCPD, I was in full support.
I am thankful for the support of President Feinstein, Vice President for Finance and Administration Dale Pratt, and the entire UNC leadership team. It has taken a tremendous effort and I am grateful to our staff for their hard work in getting us to this point. At the end of this month, you will see all our officers with body cameras on their uniform.
If you have any questions or want to know more, don’t hesitate to reach out,
Aaron
9 September 2023
Welcome back! The school year is back and things have been normal so far. Unfortunately, one of the ‘normal’ things is bicycle theft. I never want to call this normal but we are seeing a similar trend that we have seen before. Last year, from 08/17 to 09/07, we had 16 bike thefts. This year, for the same time period, we have had 16 bike thefts.
Despite how frustrating it is, it’s all too familiar. However, and here is the takeaway from this message, of the nearly 190 bike thefts in the past five years, only 2 of those were stolen that had u-locks attached. That means that we can easily show that u-locks are far superior to cable locks. Thieves are walking around with small bolt cutters. It takes them only seconds to snip a cable lock and be on their way. It takes even less time if the bike isn’t secured at all.
So, please invest in a u-lock. They are much more difficult to defeat in the few moments a thief wants to spend at the bike rack. Thieves want convenience and reduce the chance they will be caught. A u-lock requires the thief to spend more time trying to get that lock off the bike, so most often, they will bypass that bike.
When you register your bike with the university, your $20 fee includes a u-lock. You can get that by taking your bike’s serial number to Parking Services. Once you register your bike, they will give you the u-lock.
Now, the u-lock is not the only task. You have to properly secure your bike to the rack every time. That includes getting the u-lock through bike rack and through the bike’s frame and its front tire. If you want us to show you how, please call us at 970-351-2245. Any officer is happy to swing by and show you how to secure your bike.
Officers and student security patrols the bike racks. We will help in any way we
can but you also need to help yourself. Start by making sure your bike is secured
properly with a u-lock.
Aaron
14 August 2023
It’s time! The 2023-2024 school year is finally here. We are excited to welcome back all the students to campus. While everyone has been away from campus, don’t make the mistake of thinking the campus was lonely. There were all sorts of camps for athletes, performers, artists, and sometimes all three at the same time.
However, nothing is the same as when the students are here. To quote current slang that I am way too old for, “It just hits different.” This week is Move-In. Although some early arrivals have already happened, the majority of students get here this week. UNCPD will be out there. Officers will be walking all around but we will also have a table set up right in the middle of the commotion.
Please stop by. We are going to hang out by the cornhole and challenge anyone to a toss. If you win, we will have a prize for you. For parents, it’s a really god opportunity to find out who UNCPD is and how we keep the campus safe. We will have lots of information and handouts so that you get all your questions answered.
We are looking forward to another safe and successful school year!
Aaron
17 July 2023
It’s summer. Or at least, it’s very apparent that the summer weather is now here. While the campus is only a shadow of the hustle and bustle of the school year, there are still plenty of things going on. But we are excited that as we pass the 4th of July, it’s a downhill sprint to the start of the fall semester. We have just a few weeks before the summer campers are replaced by the fall athletes. And just a short couple weeks after that, students will return.
As you enjoy the rest of your summer, I wanted to take a moment to remind you that while you may be off-campus, you can still be connected to UNCPD. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram. Or better yet, both! You will find pictures and videos of everything we are up to during the summer. You will get info about upcoming events and connections to other departments within the university.
In the meantime, when you get back, we will be here. We are planning to keep bringing you doughnuts this fall, and since it will still be hot in August, we will have a popsicle for you as well!
We can’t wait for everyone to come back! See you on Move-In day!
Aaron
4 May 2023
It’s commencement weekend! UNCPD is excited to offer our congratulations to the 2023 graduating class! We know you have worked hard for your undergraduate and graduate degrees. All those long days and nights of classes, studying, and exams have led you to here and we are can’t wait to see where your journey takes you next!
We at UNCPD are busy finalizing the last details of the public safety aspects of the commencement ceremonies. We will be at every one of them. We will have officers there to congratulate you and help with answering questions. For us, commencement is the longest day of our year but it is worth it for us. It’s also bittersweet as we have to say goodbye (for now) to students who we have grown to love over the past four years.
It is the capstone experience, but let me take a ‘dad’ moment to share that you will enjoy the ceremony more, if you make good decisions the night before. We always chuckle during the ceremonies because every time, there are a few graduates who we can see that went full-send on celebrating the night before. That headache, stomach ache, and other issues, aren’t comfortable when having to be in full regalia for a couple hours. If you do have the lingering after-effects, drink plenty of water and take ibuprofen.
UNCPD is very proud of each of you! We wish all our graduating Bears the best of luck!
Aaron
3 April 2023
It’s the final weeks in the race towards commencement! If this were a baseball game, we had the 7th inning stretch a couple weeks ago, and now we are in the middle of the 8th inning. As everyone is looking towards the summer, we at UNCPD are gearing up for the training and activities that the summer provides us the time to complete.
However, before we get there, we are busy preparing for the flurry of activities that happen up to and during commencement. We have done site safety and staffing plans for the upcoming spring concert next week. We are doing the same for commencement, which will happen inside the Bank of Colorado Arena this year. I hate to say it but last year’s commencement was stressful. The heat exhaustion turned our command post into a medical triage facility. Fortunately, no one was injured and no one required more significant medical attention than bottles of water and some rest inside the air conditioned space. This year will be different. Everyone will be in the air conditioning and it’s always fun to watch and hear how noisy the celebrations get when inside.
A bit of good news for us is that we are excited to bring on new police officers to our department. We have been functioning below our authorized staff numbers for quite a while. That is no fault of the university, but is based on natural attrition rates and the difficult world of police recruitment. However, we have found several great candidates and are targeting a summer start date for them. Their addition will help us to increase the amount of positive community contacts that we can make.
As you finish you final few weeks, I have some advice. I will use my dad voice to say “make good choices”. You are close to the finish line. Work hard and enjoy these last few weeks of spring semester!
Aaron
2 March 2023
Swatting. It’s a term used when someone calls in a fake threat and causes a big police response to scare everyone. There has been a rash of these occurring over the past couple of weeks. The hard part is that police must take every threat seriously. The police can’t act like it’s probably no big deal, because if it’s real, then we aren’t doing our jobs.
So with that, if UNCPD receives a threat, our officers will respond to the location. Often, it will be in emergency mode with lights and sirens. Officers will rush to the scene in tactical gear. It will look like a Swat Team. That’s why the term has evolved into ‘swatting’.
It’s dangerous. It puts us in a position where the response might scare all the unaware and unsuspecting people who have no idea what is going on because the threat is fake. It’s also criminal. We will investigate any swatting incident, will arrest, and we will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law because of the negative impact these incidents have. Both in our community and to our officers.
While swatting has occurred all over Colorado, thankfully, it has not occurred here…yet. I don’t want it to but expect that it will. It’s happened at too many other schools. UNCPD will respond but we will do our best to assess the situation quickly and get the campus back to normal operations. During these moments, and really for any encounter with a police officer, please follow any instructions that a police officer gives. Emergency communication to the entire campus will quickly follow. Please be aware of the university’s emergency websites, the Guardian Rave app, and UNCPD’s social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.
Whether it happens here or not, UNCPD is prepared and we will be here.
Thanks,
Aaron
13 February 2023
It has been a busy winter season! The weather continues to do big favors for those that love to ski, but not as much for those who have to drive in the snow. There are lots of snow piles still lying around campus, but in between all that snow, the campus is still bustling. It was awesome to see the Bears own Weber State in a game that was televised on ESPN! There are concerts and student events we have been fortunate to be at during these cold months, so there’s never a slow time for UNCPD.
With all those activities, your police department is still here and still serving. Right now, our personnel is a bit stretched but we are working on recruiting more officers. We are not immune from the issues facing every other police agencies, and right now, one of the biggest is staffing. Just like all those other agencies, we are trying to maintain our staffing levels as officers depart for various reasons. We wish them best in their next endeavors but those great officers leave some big shoes to fill.
The University of Northern Colorado Police Department offers an attractive compensation package, and more importantly, a chance to focus on the positive and fun aspects of being a police officer. The luxury that we have is that we don’t regularly have to handle some of the stressful issues that other departments do. Our officers are primarily busy hanging out with students and staff. That is a privilege for us and something that most cops aren’t afforded. How many police officers can say that they spend most of the day with a smile on their face because they work in an environment where everyone likes you? We do!
If you think you are ready for a career in law enforcement where what you do makes a positive difference, then check out our recruiting website. If you’re already a cop and you are ready for a change to a department that appreciates you, then this is the place. You can call me personally, and I will answer all your questions, and get you an application!
Aaron
19 January 2023
This campus enjoys a very safe environment. As the Chief of Police for the University, my days are focused on the functions of the police department and advancing community engagement. My time here has been enjoyable because of the low crime rate on campus. That’s a much different focus than my prior career. Having worked for the past two decades at the Greeley Police Department, I can tell you a couple things. First, GPD is an excellent police agency that is highly competent. Second, that the city of Greeley is a busy place.
Police issues do occur around the campus and they are handled by GPD. Not all are dangerous, but occasionally, they can be. UNCPD listens to police radio channels and is aware of everything. We assist GPD when requested. However, I tell you this to highlight that we also inform you, when any issue occurs that may affect the campus. How do we do this? UNCPD sends out Campus Safety Alerts and Crime Alerts to your email. In some cases, we have to send Emergency Notifications. Those will go to all delivery methods that we have including, email, Rave Guardian app, text messaging, social media, as well as putting a flashing message on the computer screen of every campus computer. Emergency Notifications are not just crime issues, they can also be for weather or communicable disease-related information.
We do this so you can be informed about incidents that occur both on or around campus. Like I said before, the UNC campus has nowhere the same issues as what I used to deal with. Not only is it not in the same ballpark, it’s not even in the parking lot outside that ballpark. This campus is safe. Your police department is here 24 hours a day. We patrol all areas of campus. The message of this Chief’s Corner is to remind you that we make you aware. We are just like the local TV weather people who say, “When we notice something on our radar, we put it on yours.” What I would ask is that if you haven’t downloaded the Rave Guardian app, please do so. I would also ask you to please pay attention to your email. UNCPD (and probably your professors) would appreciate it!
Aaron
26 December 2022
I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas Day! This year, we were very proud that we were able to be a part of the Santa Cops program. In case you haven’t heard of it, law enforcement agencies partner with charities to collect presents, take referrals for those kiddos who need some Christmas cheer, and then deliver those wrapped presents to their homes. It’s an amazing program and we are honored to work with the Evans and Greeley Police Departments on it. We delivered presents to neighborhood homes around the campus, and it was a special time for the University of Northern Colorado Police Officers serve during this holiday season.
Part of what makes it extra special is how much the program ministers to the police officers. We are here 24 hours a day when you need us. However, many of those moments are when something has not gone right. But with Santa Cops, those instances are truly positive and speak to the souls of why we are cops in the first place. We are servants and for a moment, we get to bring smiles to some deserving kids whose parents need a little help during this time of year. There are smiles on the faces of the kids, the parents, and the police officers. The officers love it, and we are privileged to be a part of those moments! If you are curious about what the referral process looks like, please visit our website or give us a call.
To switch gears on you, the campus made it through the deep freeze with only minor issues. The snow has been cleared on all major pathways throughout campus. Although, the weather forecast looks like we might get more this week, but it should hopefully be warm enough to keep New Year’s Eve enjoyable. In any case, we will be here, and we are excited for the return of students for the spring semester!
Aaron
7 December 2022
We have made it to the holiday season! This fall has seen its share of stress. As you make it through your last week of classes, it’s my hope that you will take a moment to reflect. To often, we get caught up in schedules and we are so focused on what is coming next, that we forget to appreciate what is right now. I saw something recently that said “the days are long but the years are short.” If you think about that for a minute, that describes the college journey perfectly. Each day brings a laundry list of classes, homework, studying, research, tests, etc. Those days seem to drag on. However, we are now at the final Christmas break for a lot of students. Before you know it, the academic year will be over, and for some of you, the college years. For those of us beyond college, it’s also a time of reflection.
In my own journey, this is the first holiday season where we had a serious discussion that it’s time to change our Christmas routine. Everyone’s kids are grown and there is no driving force that obligates us to be at the grandparents’ house anymore. It’s not good or bad, it’s just different. However, that makes me reflect and reminisce on the years we had and whether I valued that time as much as I should have in each moment. I do have great memories but did I realize that while all those years seemed like they would never end, they did.
As you finish your finals, or if you are on staff, as you close your office for the break, head into this time with the intentional mindset to enjoy each moment. Whether that is remembering how grandma’s ham is chewy because she bakes it for way too long or you are questioning why an uncle even shows up at a holiday church service because all he does is immediately fall asleep. All these moments are worth appreciating. Soon, the season will be over and the sprint to spring commencement will start.
Take time to enjoy this holiday season. Family or friends can sometimes make holiday days long but these years are short.
“There’s room for everyone on the nice list!” – Buddy the Elf
Aaron
7 November 2022
The rate of stolen cars has increased across the country. With the latest FBI statistics, Colorado ranks 2nd behind New Mexico for the highest number per capita. I understand your frustration and that you or your student should not have to be distracted with having to wonder if your car is safe in the parking lot. We did have a small number of car thefts from J lot here on campus this fall. However, I am happy to report that we have stopped that trend. Here’s how we did it:
- We increased our activity in J lot and at Arlington Apartments. Your police officers have been incorporating lots of directed patrols and spending as much time there as possible. They are making friendly contacts with everyone who is in that parking lot after dark.
- The officers are conducting educational contacts. You will find an officer standing on the sidewalk near the residence halls and talking to every person they can to remind them to remove their valuables and lock their cars.
- The university has hired a private security company to patrol J lot. They are out there in the evening and all night long.
- The university is limiting access to J lot between 10pm and 6am. Every night, officers place a barricade across the 24th Street entrance to make that parking lot a single point of entry/exit. Officers remove the barrier every morning.
- The university has also made upgrades to the security cameras that cover J lot. This will improve our ability to monitor the parking lot.
- UNCPD has initiated a “9PM Routine” social media campaign. This program seeks to have everyone put a daily reminder on their cell phone for 9pm that helps them to remember to make sure their valuables are removed from their cars, and that the cars are locked for the night. This is also a good strategy for everyone to do at their homes, or wherever they may be.
The point to all this is to help put everyone’s minds at ease. Chasing your degree is hard enough. You don’t need to worry about whether someone is out prowling through the parking lot. We are committed to keeping the campus safe and our efforts won’t stop. UNCPD is out there all night and we will make sure whoever we find during the overnight has a reason to be on campus. You can also be assured that President Feinstein took this issue very seriously and supplied UNCPD with extra resources to serve the campus community. We are grateful for his leadership.
Aaron
26 September 2022
In the past week we've seen an increase in the number of calls to respond to a location where someone was speaking about a politically divisive topic. We are always going to respond and check on what anyone asks us to. However, we will not infringe upon the First Amendment when people are expressing their opinions lawfully. People have the right to speak their opinions in public spaces. While there are a few exceptions, the majority of the open air areas of campus are public spaces. That means that folks may be distributing literature or asking to speak with you. These people may not bully or intimidate you, block entrances or exits from buildings, stop or block your free movement around the campus, or use sound amplification devices that interfere with the operation of the university. There are permits that individuals or groups may obtain that allow them use a designated space, but nothing in that permit forces you to engage with them. If a person or group is engaging in any of the preceding behavior, call us immediately.
The takeaway from this is that everyone has an opinion. There are times when you can have a healthy dialog and a viewpoint can be changed. Sometimes, there are certain topics that no amount of polite conversation, statistical data, or even yelling and screaming, will change another person’s viewpoint on. There are also times when emotions and passion override someone’s maturity or decency, and they say things that are rude.
It’s the ability to recognize these moments that will lead to you reducing the stress in your life. Realize that you don’t have to argue with someone you don’t agree with. Removing toxic people from your life is a healthy choice. Also, the understanding that you can still be friends with people who don’t share your opinions will save you a lot of headaches, and perhaps some relationships. Learn to pick your battles. You are already on a path to amazing things, so don’t let anyone distract you from achieving the dreams you are chasing.
Aaron
31 August 2022
I hadn’t expected to write another Chief’s Corner so soon after the publication of the previous one, but I wanted to make certain the following message to the campus community is crystal clear. If you experience something that is uncomfortable, unsafe, or you are just unsure about someone or some thing, call the police. If you encounter a situation and think, “I wonder if I should call the cops?”, that answer is yes.
I want to make sure everyone understands that policing is not just handcuffs and criminal investigation. It’s also about conversations. Friendly ones. When we show up, we don’t just find out who needs arrested. We talk to people. Whenever possible, we connect them to resources and a lot of our calls are only conversations with people that don’t end up in arrests.
My entire focus is ensuring that you feel safe. Everyone knows that in case of emergency, you call 911. What less people know is that if you feel like it’s not an emergency, but you still want to contact the police, most police departments have a non-emergency number. We do. It’s 970-351-2245. You can call that number and get one of our UNC police dispatchers 24-hours a day. There are other ways to contact us through the Guardian app or by texting us. But whatever way you choose, don’t start second guessing yourself, contact us. If you feel uncomfortable telling us your name, you don’t have to. We take anonymous reports as well.
The officers of UNCPD are here to help. We are happy to come and check things out for you. We are happy to talk to anyone, including other people who may be making others uncomfortable or are just acting suspiciously. The police are not just for when something bad has already happened. In every case possible, we would rather prevent than resolve.
If you take nothing else away from this Chief’s Corner, just know we want you to call us. And you should. It’s what we are here for. We will find a way to help.
Aaron
24 August 2022
Students are back for the fall semester! I joined UNCPD at the very tail end of this past spring semester. I was able to be a part of spring commencement and then the campus went into its normal summer mode. While the campus is never empty, it certainly felt that way while students were gone.
With the beginning of a new school year, there’s always hope, excitement, and anticipation. I had a great time being part of the welcome events that occurred last week! One thing that did catch me by surprise, especially on move-in day, were the number of conversations that I had with parents to explain that the University of Northern Colorado has its own police department.
The University of Northern Colorado Police Department (UNCPD) is the law enforcement agency for the University of Northern Colorado. We are a fully sworn police agency. We have 17 police officers, seven full-time dispatchers, and a Clery Act Compliance Officer. That number doesn’t include the student rovers or student dispatchers that also work with us. We are here 24 hours a day, every day. We are not Greeley PD, Weld County Sheriff’s Office, or a branch of any other police agency, although we work closely with all of them. We have an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Greeley that provides us additional police authority up to a mile from the geographical boundaries of the campus. That’s why you will see our patrol cars off-campus as well. We want to be available to our students, who we know live off-campus or frequent businesses around the campus area, including downtown Greeley.
Being sworn police officers, all our officers are POST-certified. That means each of us has attended an accredited police academy and have been certified by the Colorado Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Board. We are required to maintain our annual training to retain our certifications. We investigate every type of crime, including felonies. We are also equipped and trained to address all types of encounters, including active shooters. We pull over drivers who violate traffic code and write tickets. When we have to, we transport arrestees to jail and testify in municipal, county, and district court.
All of this is to say that the University of Northern Colorado takes the safety of students and staff very seriously. Whenever there is an issue, a police officer from the University of Northern Colorado Police Department will respond. Just so you have it, the phone number to our dispatching center is 970-351-2245. However, in case of an emergency always call 911.
Good luck to all Bears in the 2022-2023 school year!
Aaron
3 August 2022
We are always looking to improve the ways you can get in touch with us. Based on national events and how we better address them, one of the concerns that I have had is how can a person discreetly contact police? For example, you a student attending a class and there’s someone in the classroom that seems to be acting strangely or is making you uncomfortable. What can that concerned student do without drawing attention to themselves yet still be able to connect to UNCPD? We have a solution for that!
With the Guardian app, you can chat with UNCPD in real time. Look for Guardian in your app store. Log in with your UNC info and right there on the home screen is a button to contact UNCPD. Your message will be delivered directly to our dispatch center and you will be able to communicate directly with a live person.
UNCPD also has a text number. You can text the keyword " UNCPD" to 226787 to talk directly with UNCPD. If you don’t have access to the Guardian app, then save this number in your contacts!
It’s critical to remember that in case of an emergency, call 911. However, in the scenario mentioned above, you can discreetly contact us through the Guardian app. Your text will prompt our officers to stop by that classroom and observe what is happening. We won’t disclose who contacted us and unless there is danger, we won’t interrupt the class.
Please download the Guardian app!
19 July 2022
I am excited to share some of the things that we have been up to. Over the past couple of months, we have been able to address some badly needed improvements inside our own building. While being partners with the community means we spend a lot of time outside and around campus, each officer also has duties inside our building. One of the small changes that I made immediately, at the request of the officers, was to change our radio terminology and stop using the word “headquarters” to call out to Dispatch over the radio. Typically, an officer will use a challenge/reply procedure in which they say the name of the person they are calling, followed by their own name. The officers did not like calling Dispatch by the word headquarters. Such a small change (and likely meaningless to all of you) is an easy decision for me, and if it makes the officers’ jobs better, it’s a no brainer.
We have also overhauled an old storage room and turned it into the new men’s locker room. The old locker room was small and you had to walk through the men’s bathroom to get to it. The new room now has a fresh coat of paint and new carpeting. The room is much bigger and allows for officers to change into their uniforms without standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the next guy.
Lastly, and most importantly, the University of Northern Colorado Police Department is now on social media! Please take a moment to check us out on Facebook and Instagram. Be sure to like the pages, so you can be alerted when new content drops. We are already working on some interesting video ideas that I think you will like.
Facebook – University of Northern Colorado Police
Instagram - @unco_police
30 June 2022
Yesterday marked my first time of being able to swear-in new officers to the department. We are very excited to have Officer Jungels and Officer Vasquez as the newest members of UNCPD! Both of the new officers are a great addition and Officer Vasquez is a UNC graduate! Their hiring brings to close a period of struggle over the past two years in which our department saw the departure of nearly half of the police force. These departures were due to normal attrition, or at least what I call ‘normal’ in the current world of policing.
The culture around policing has become difficult. Officers across the country are leaving their departments because of several factors. Prior to about five years ago, officers would leave primarily for a few reasons. Either they were retiring, moving to a new police department, or were being let go because of poor performance. Today, officers are primarily leaving because of pressure and burnout. Legislative changes, while good intentioned, has made it increasingly difficult. Jail reform has either limited the types of crimes we can arrest for or has reduced the sentencing to where criminals don’t spend much time in jail before being released again onto the public. Additionally, the national sentiment, that major news outlets repeat, is a distrust for police. I will admit there have been moments where cops across the county have made terrible choices. Those officers should be and are facing criminal charges for their actions. However, the perception can appear that people don’t want police, don’t trust them, or simply hate them because of the uniform they wear. Even in Greeley, you can find “ACAB” (All Cops Are *expletive*) spray painted in various places. All those factors are leading police officers nationally, to not only leave their department, but to leave policing entirely.
Fortunately, UNCPD exists in a supportive community. We are grateful to have a connection with the members of the university family and the city of Greeley. I have been welcomed warmly by everyone I have met and when there has been areas that the police department can improve upon, those folks have been kind in letting me know how we can better serve them. No matter how law enforcement may change, UNCPD is committed to community policing and being partners with everyone. Now, with the addition of these two new officers, we are nearly fully-staffed and have only one vacancy left.
To that end, UNCPD is making some changes. We are working on the inside of our building and making improvements, to both the public and secured areas, to make them more comfortable and welcoming. We are also moving into the digital age! Stay tuned as we will be launching our social media on Facebook and Instagram very soon! We have some entertaining ideas that will be coming soon, and we are excited for the next school year.
Aaron
9 June 2022
We have had another break-in to Bishop-Lehr. Ugh! Like everyone, we understand that the building is in a transitional phase. The future for that building and section of land has a lot of potential. However, in the meantime, various persons keep finding their way inside Bishop-Lehr to leave a mark. When I say leave a mark, I mean spray paint graffiti all over the place.
To help everyone understand what this means, Colorado Revised Statutes 18-4-203 is 2nd Degree Burglary. It is defined as unlawfully entering or remaining in a building with the intent to commit a crime. Colorado Revised Statute 18-4-501 is Criminal Mischief, which is defined as damaging the real or personal property of one or more persons. If someone breaks into Bishop-Lehr to spray paint, that meets the elements of those crimes and is the basis for a probable cause arrest. While Criminal Mischief is usually a misdemeanor, 2nd Degree Burglary is a Class 4 Felony.
Yes, I said Felony. Felonies are no simple issue. They follow you the rest of your life and impact things like being able to get a job. Many employers conduct background checks prior to employment and felonies are usually red flags that cause big problems.
While this isn’t meant to scare you, it is meant to educate. Breaking into Bishop-Lehr to do some spray painting may seem harmless. I am trying to relay that it’s not. Or at least, a lot of the harm caused may actually be to your future career. The individuals we caught this week will now have to face those consequences as we charged all of them with 2nd Degree Burglary and Criminal Mischief.
We don’t want to be in this position but based on targeted hate speech and significant property damage that we have encountered in the past, we are forced to take a zero tolerance position.
Please help us!! If you see someone around the building that looks out of place, let us know right away. We would much rather prevent an issue than take enforcement afterwards.
Aaron
25 May 2022
Like the rest of the country, my heart goes out to the families who lost their whole world yesterday in Uvalde, TX. I can’t imagine their sorrow and know that each of us who wears a uniform would give anything, including our own lives, to have saved those children. Thanks to the efforts of the brave officers there, I am grateful that the tragedy wasn’t worse than it already is. As the Police Chief for a campus police department, this is the nightmare scenario. The safety of each student is my entire focus every day. To that end, your police department never stops training and proactively working to prevent something like this from occurring here.
We are always looking for ways to improve our training and this year, we will be participating in active shooter response training hosted by the FBI. We are providing the training space here on campus and are grateful to help facilitate the training not only for us, but for area law enforcement agencies. We are also constantly patrolling, examining building access and thinking about how to improve the physical safety of the campus. However, preparation is only part of what we need.
More importantly, we need you. We need you to be watchful. Please let us know if you encounter someone who is in need of assistance. This can be through seeing a concerning social media post or observing someone who seems lonely or disconnected. We want to have the chance to speak to them. I promise you that is not to create a stigma or make that person feel embarrassed. We will be friendly and compassionate and connect them to any resources they need. In many cases, it will likely be a clarification or learning moment for someone. In those other cases, we might become the positive influence someone desperately needed.
As Uvalde, TX, and so many other incidents like this has taught us, is that all of us can not wait. As soon as a concerning behavior or unnerving social media posting occurs, you must alert someone with the ability or authority to have that conversation. We only want to help and maybe that conversation is the key to helping that person.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families in Uvalde!
Aaron
11 May 2022
We wish all graduates of the Class of 2022 congratulations and the best of luck on the next phase of your journeys! Even though the summer brings some slow down overall for the university, for us, the summer remains a busy time. During these months, we will be working hard on updating policies and procedures, training and getting ready for the next school year. There’s a lot to be proud of with the University of Northern Colorado Police Department! The employees are committed to making an even bigger and more positive impact in the lives of the campus community. We are putting together plans for increased community engagement and are always on the lookout for new ideas of how to be partners with everyone.
While the students are on summer break, we are still here and will be visible. You will find us at the UC, at the recreation center or the coffee shop. We are working on some changes to our building and preparing for a HVAC remodel, which will finally bring air conditioning to the east side of the police department. We are excited about that!
We hope to see you over the summer months and you are always welcome to stop by Gray Hall anytime. We would love to give you a tour of the building and how we operate.
Aaron
22 April 2022
As I move into the end of my first week as Chief of Police, it’s been exhausting but exciting. I am honored to bring my experience managing in a large police agency to UNC. There’s so much potential in the University of Northern Colorado Police Department! It’s been over a year since someone has served in the role as the permanent Chief of Police. Captain Rick McNair has done a fantastic job acting as the Interim Police Chief! He has shouldered a heavy load serving in dual roles and is to be commended. He also had to manage a natural attrition cycle that saw the department lose half of its allotted police officers. While we wish those former employees well in retirement or their next adventure, we look to the future. Captain McNair and Sergeant Patrick Gallagher have hired a mix of experienced police officers and new recruits. Currently, UNCPD has only one vacancy in its ranks. However, enough praise cannot be given to those officers who weathered the staffing storm.
UNCPD is a good agency with good people who have numerous ideas for some positive changes. A lot of feedback has been passed my way and it’s time for the department to shift into the next gear and keep moving forward. You can expect to see some changes in how we look and how we operate. I am committed to making UNCPD more of a community partner for every student and every member of the staff. We will be out of our cars and we will be working on building connections where we can just hang out with you. Please feel free to say hi to any officer you see in the dining hall, in the common area of a residence hall or anywhere on campus! My bet is that we will have already said hi to you first!
Aaron
