About
In 1965, Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) 396.325 became law granting authority to the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents to establish a police department for the State of Nevada university system. On June 11,1965, the Board of Regents established police departments across the state to serve higher education institutions. In 2019, the Board of Regents consolidated the southern Nevada police departments forming the University Police Department (UPD) – Southern Command.
Chief’s Message
Welcome to the University Police Department – Southern Command.
It is both an honor and a privilege to serve as the Chief of Police for the University Police Department (UPD) and to serve the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) institutions of Southern Nevada. I am deeply committed to supporting the safety, success, and well-being of the students, faculty, staff, and visitors who make our campuses such vibrant and diverse communities.
Public safety is a shared responsibility. At UPD we believe that building strong relationships with our campus and surrounding communities is the foundation of effective policing. Through trust, transparency, collaboration, and open communication, we strive to provide exceptional service while treating every individual with dignity, respect, and professionalism.
Our officers and professional staff are dedicated to delivering responsive, community-oriented policing that emphasizes prevention, education, and proactive problem-solving. Whether responding to emergencies, engaging with the campus community, supporting special events, or providing crime prevention resources, our commitment is to serve with integrity, compassion, and accountability.
As our campus communities continue to grow and evolve, so does our commitment to innovation and excellence. We continually seek opportunities to enhance our training, strengthen partnerships, and implement best practices that support the safety and well-being of everyone we serve.
Serving the NSHE institutions of Southern Nevada is especially meaningful because of the important role these institutions play in the future of our region. The opportunity to work alongside our campus communities, local partners, and dedicated members of the University Police Department is a responsibility I am proud to carry.
Thank you for taking the time to visit our website. I encourage you to explore the resources available, learn more about our services, and connect with us. Together, we can continue to foster a safe, secure, and vibrant campus community.
On behalf of all of us at the University Police Department, thank you for your trust and support.
Arnold Vasquez
Chief of Police
University Police Department
Who We Are
Category I Peace Officers’ Status and Training
University police officers are Category I peace officers and are required to complete a 22-week, 750-hour state Peace Officers’ Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) academy program as well as pass 560 hours of field training to qualify as a University Police Officer I. After completing a one-year probationary period, the officer is promoted to a University Police Officer II.
Affiliations
The University Police Department maintains strong cooperative relationships with law enforcement agencies throughout Southern Nevada. The Department enforces applicable state laws and various ordinances and exercises the same law enforcement authority as other police agencies within the region. All criminal incidents occurring within the Department’s jurisdiction are thoroughly investigated and, when appropriate, referred for prosecution.
University Police Department is a member of the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (I.A.C.L.E.A.) and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (I.A.C.P.).
Our Values
P.R.I.D.E.
- Professionalism – We display honor, courage, and respect in all of our endeavors.
- Responsibility – We are always accountable to our campus communities, each other, and our families.
- Integrity – We conduct ourselves in a manner that is always transparent, fair, ethical, and legal.
- Dedication – We consistently demonstrate a heart for serving others.
- Excellence – We are committed to the implementation of innovative strategies to address community concerns.
As a consolidated police department, UPD is responsible for providing comprehensive police services covering a jurisdiction spanning across all southern Nevada campuses which include the College of Southern Nevada (CSN), Desert Research Institute (DRI), Nevada State University (NSU), and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).
UPD is composed of Category I law enforcement Police Officers, non-sworn Community Service Officers (CSO), an emergency communications dispatch center, detective bureau, canine explosive detection unit, Office of Threat Assessment and Emergency Management, Community Services Division and traffic enforcement unit.