University PD jurisdiction

[aust.cadet]

Last night I noticed a University of Texas Police Department cruiser initiating a traffic stop a considerable distance from the campus. It was so far away from the campus that I checked twice to verify it was a UTPD cruiser. Does anyone know if a campus PD has a specific jurisdiction or if they are free to patrol around their respective city. If they do not have a set jurisdiction, then would they be able to respond to calls that are off campus?

Just curious.

[tpd_six]

Depends on the state. I don't know about Texas, but here University officers have statewide jurisdiction just as any other city, county, or state officer does for a violation they witness or or requested to assist with. I'm sure a TX officer will be along to verify this.

[scott715us]

Funny how alot of people ask that question about us too (airport PD). We have alot property to patrol away from the airport terminal and I have a hay day with people that pass me just because it says "airport PD" on the side of my car. I guess they feel I can't pull them over. I love to disappoint them ;)

[JD45]

Same in CA, is long as your a "police officer" and not a certain level reserve, you technically have jurisdiction anywhere in the state.

[Johninaustin]

Last night I noticed a University of Texas Police Department cruiser initiating a traffic stop a considerable distance from the campus. It was so far away from the campus that I checked twice to verify it was a UTPD cruiser. Does anyone know if a campus PD has a specific jurisdiction or if they are free to patrol around their respective city. If they do not have a set jurisdiction, then would they be able to respond to calls that are off campus?

Just curious.

Texas Peace Officer, just like anyone else. UTPD jurisdiction is county wide. (Travis county) They typically respond to calls that involve university assets. (off campus housing and the like. you'd be amazed at the amount of stuff owned by UT.)

BTW: Austin Community, Hutson-Tillotson, Concordia, and St Edwards colleges also have their own peace officers, as well as Austin Inde]pendant School district.

[Legoate]

Had a guy pass me at 85 on the freeway yesterday. He thought I didn't have the jurisdiction to pull him over because he wasn't on a city street. I'm hoping he'll use that defense in court.
Forget you ever heard the word "jurisdiction".

[michiganstud]

In michigan Campus Police Officers have jurisdiction on campus property and 99% of them are deputized for their entire county.

They are fully certified police officers. They can do anything a city or sheriff officer could do. The only difference is they patrol campus primarily.

[michiganstud]

In michigan Campus Police Officers have jurisdiction on campus property and 99% of them are deputized for their entire county.

They are fully certified police officers. They can do anything a city or sheriff officer could do. The only difference is they patrol campus primarily.

Students usually learn very quickly.....often the hard way.

[aust.cadet]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate all the good info.

[Ranger__101]

At least in MN. If a Law Enforcement Officer has a reason to be outside their normal jusridiction they can even write tickets and traffic stops outside of that area.

Our County Cops are limited to the county generally, State Patrol have state wide jusrisdiction and Special Departments such as the U of M PD are generally limted to the campus property and routes between property.

Overall is you can't play bets of when an officer is or is not in their juristiction. If it really comes down to it, they can stop you and call for an officer in that jurisdiction to write the tickets if necessary.

[Toeknee112]

Had a guy pass me at 85 on the freeway yesterday. He thought I didn't have the jurisdiction to pull him over because he wasn't on a city street. I'm hoping he'll use that defense in court.
Forget you ever heard the word "jurisdiction".

"Hey wait! I thought only the CHP could stop cars on the freeway!" I love to hear that! (press hard for three copies) :D

[samseed101]

Here, University Police have jurisdiction in the entire city that they work in. Of course, this only applies to University Police, and not security. As far as airports, our airports are actualyl staffed by full time Police Officers from the city. Portland PD works at the Portland Jetport.

[Legoate]

"Hey wait! I thought only the CHP could stop cars on the freeway!" I love to hear that! (press hard for three copies) :D

That was exactly what this guy thought. He saw no problem passing me at 85 because I was a city cop, not CHP so I couldn't possibly pull him over. Luckily, I lit him up and had him pull off onto a city street or I would have really been screwed when I tried to write the ticket! (sarcasm intended).

I've also been told I have no jurisdiction on private property...that one never seem to work either.

As far as I know, In CA once you are a sworn peace officer, you are sworn throughout the state (this includes most university officers). If I'm wrong please correct me so I can stop making a fool of myself writing those traffic tickets on the freeway. ;)

[Nuklhed]

A couple of California officers chimed in already, but I will add my 2 cents. If you are a police officer, you have jurisdiction statewide. You are just primarily responsible for the area where you work (ie, your beat, your campus, etc) Police powers statewide though. Hope that helps..

[Charlie]

Texas Peace Officer, just like anyone else. UTPD jurisdiction is county wide. (Travis county) They typically respond to calls that involve university assets. (off campus housing and the like. you'd be amazed at the amount of stuff owned by UT.)

BTW: Austin Community, Hutson-Tillotson, Concordia, and St Edwards colleges also have their own peace officers, as well as Austin Inde]pendant School district.

Johninaustin is on the money with his response. (I'm a UT cop myself here in the DFW area). The ony thing I'll add is we have jurisdiction in any county in Texas where UT owns, lease or has property under their control. (Which is something like 180+ counties in TX!) :D And, yes we can stop people off campus...
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Charlie