University Police

Our fully-sworn police officers work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The Towson University Police Department is comprised of more than 40 fully sworn and dedicated officers under the leadership of Associate Vice President for Public Safety, Charles “Joe” Herring. Our officers draw from proven community policing strategies to provide the full range of patrol, investigative and crime prevention services.

Report a Crime

Contact the TUPD immediately if you see, experience or even suspect a crime on campus. We are available 24/7 at 410-704-4444 (for emergencies) and 410-704-2134 (for non-emergencies). You can also email  or contact us through any of the campus’s emergency blue light phones.  

View recent crime incidents and safety advisories.

Community Safety Dashboard

Need help? Learn more about SafeWalk escorts, property registration and more.

Police Services

Comment Portal

CALEA Accreditation Public Comment Portal

The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc. (CALEA) maintains an access portal which allows for comment and feedback with regard to candidate agencies seeking initial accreditation or reaccreditation status.

Purpose of the Public Portal

The purpose of the public portal is to receive comments regarding compliance with CALEA standards, engagement in the service community, delivery of public safety services and candidacy for accredited status. Comments can be in the form of commendations or concerns.

The intent is to provide the participating agency with information to support continuous improvement and foster the pursuit of professional excellence. The Towson University Police Department is currently accredited by CALEA.

CALEA is not an investigatory body and subsequently the public portal should not be used to submit information for such purposes. There will be no response; however, the information will be considered in context to its relevancy to compliance with standards and the tenets of CALEA® Accreditation.

Crime Prevention

Our goal is to prevent crime. We encourage you to watch the active shooter training video and campus safety videos to learn helpful tips on preventing and responding to crimes. All students, faculty and staff receive emergency text alerts to keep them informed about emergency situations on campus. Consider downloading the SaferMobility app to use as a safety net in potentially threatening situations.

Emergency Communications

Safety starts with awareness. We employ a range of emergency communications tools to inform and update students, faculty and staff on situations impacting campus safety. Depending on the severity and proximity of the incident, we will share information via: 

  • emails to university-issued accounts
  • emergency text alerts
  • external sirens and voice announcements
  • Office of Public Safety Twitter account
  • internal building announcements

About Us

We have the unique distinction of being accredited by both the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) and the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Agencies (IACLEA). Less than one percent of law enforcement agencies have both accreditations, which validate compliance with state-of-the-art industry standards. Learn more about us.

Meet Our People
Charles "Joe" Herring

Chief Charles Herring

Associate Vice President for Public Safety

“I believe safety is foundational to a world-class education. Every member of our campus community has a stake in maintaining our safe and vibrant campus. You can play your part by trusting your instincts, observing your surroundings, and reporting suspicious behavior.”

 

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