Jurisdiction

University Police Officers

Traditionally, University Police Officers have been stereotyped as security guards or “limited power” officers.  However in the State of Texas, this stereotype cannot be further from the truth. 

University Policing is a skilled profession that balances the special needs of an educational environment with those of law, order, and the application of criminal justice.  While service and education is a mainstay of campus law enforcement, University Police Officers are trained and equipped to handle criminal activity just as their county and municipal counterparts. 

The University of Houston-Clear Lake Police Department is a full service law enforcement agency focused on serving the UHCL community.  University of Houston-Clear Lake Police Officers are fully empowered state peace officers commissioned under the authority of the State of Texas Education Code Section 51.203.  The primary jurisdiction of a University Police Officer includes all counties in which the University owns, leases, rents, or otherwise maintains control of property.  Within this primary jurisdiction, a University Police Officer:

1. Is vested with all powers, privileges, and immunities of a Texas peace officer.
2. May arrest without warrant any person who violates a law of the state.
3. May enforce all traffic laws on streets and highways.

Outside of a University Police Officer’s primary jurisdiction, the officer maintains the vested powers, privileges and immunities of a Texas peace officer and may arrest any person who violates any state law if the officer:

1. Is summoned by another law enforcement agency to provide assistance.
2. Is assisting another law enforcement agency.
3. Is otherwise performing his/her duties as a police officer for the institution of higher education that employs the officers.

All University Police Officers must:

1. Take and file the oath of office with the State of Texas
2. Be a certified police officer under the requirements of the Texas Commission on Law  Enforcement Officers and Standards.

Texas Education Code Section 51.203: http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/SOTWDocs/ED/htm/ED.51.9568.8236.htm#9620.8283

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