by Nanci Flores
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.- University of Arkansas Police Department serves to keep students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors safe.
For most people, patrol officers represent the first point of contact with university police.
Officer Tara Wilder said being part of UAPD meant a lot of it was patrolling and trying their best to be proactive, trying to be seen, trying to deter crime but respond calls to anything.
On a university campus, there’s no such thing thing as a typical night.
“Hey guys I know that you’re leaving campus but it’s a tobacco free campus so please don’t smoke over here…Thank you..That’s all right, y’all have a good evening.”
Officer Wilder’s night on the job starts at nine, and during her shift, she checks the exterior of residence halls and both sorority and fraternity houses for anything unusual.
“When I’m circling campus I’m looking for moving violations. I like to check the parking lots or any illegal activity, anyone smoking illegal substance or some indecent exposure acts or break into vehicles.” Wilder said.
Officer Wilder describes UAPD as operating like any other police department and discouraged students from underestimating its power.
During the ride along, Officer Wilder found two females sitting in a vehicle smoking marijuana.
“This is going to be logged, if this is ever again you’ll be going to jail. It wasn’t that much, I could barely smell it but don’t do this again. This is your first huge break.” Wilder said.
Throughout the night, Officer Wilder checks for routine traffic violations, such as individuals driving without their headlights.
With a dispatcher always on duty, UAPD provides year-round services 24/7.
Officer Wilder said, “help me help you, let’s go through this situation together…I want you to understand that we are not here to harass you or pick on you or whatever negative thought you have of us let’s change that.”
Defining the UAPD jurisdiction can be difficult, but Officer Wilder said wherever a call for help was made, University Police would answer.
Community members interested in participating in the UAPD ride along can contact Captain Gary Crain for more information.