The Lamar University Police Department has announced its rebranding and integration of resources across campuses to enhance safety and security for universities and colleges in the Texas State University System.
“It’s a way to ensure that everybody is on an equal playing field,” LUPD Sgt. Byron Popillion said. “Ultimately, it’s to make sure the students and faculty staff are safe during times of emergencies.”
The changes driven by are the Texas State University System, a public university system that oversees several institutions in Texas including Lamar University.
The idea is to have stronger communications and more reliable police departments across all campuses by sharing resources to allocate officers to certain locations.
“This change brings better resources, a clearer sense of identity and more meaningful ways to engage with students,” Cody Hicks, LUPD patrol officer, said. “Overall, it allows us to serve the campus community more effectively and work together with a unified approach.”
LUPD holds the same authority as local police forces but is specialized and geared towards universities and schools.
Students should expect more presence from peace officers, even for situations people may not expect to be police related, such as jumpstarting dead batteries and retrieving keys locked in cars. If the problem is beyond what the police can help with, they will advise students and faculty to the best of their abilities.
“One thing students should know is that these changes are designed to improve their experience,” Hicks said. “Including easier access to service, better reporting options, a greater presence on campus, and a faster response times to emergencies.”
Changes will also be seen in the police department’s gear.
“As a collaboration, we do believe it is only right to develop something that blends all campuses that we serve,” Yatra Martin, sergeant at LUPD, said. “Although nothing is set.”
Byron said people will see police vehicles designed a bit differently and the uniforms the officers wear will also be changed. But, what won’t change is that dedication to the safety and security of all the faculty, students and staff on each campus.
These new implements have also affected LUPD personally.
LUPD has expanded to the Lamar State College Orange and Port Arthur campuses making officers work across multiple campuses. This change is possible because there is a coordinating schedule, a shared dispatch center and consistent meetings with supervisors to communicate feedback to keep this new process expanding in the right direction.
“Immediately, I have seen welcoming smiles from staff and faculty,” Yatara Martin, sergeant at LUPD, said. “We have assisted in areas and situations that staff were previously unaware of how to handle.”
Officers are also undergoing new implemented training to strengthen skills and understanding for every campus. The training will be ongoing to make sure the department stays on top of new approaches to keep campuses safe.
For some officers like Hicks, this new change has brought more responsibilities and a new partner.
“I recently transitioned into a K-9 officer role and was assigned a K-9 partner named Sandy, a golden retriever,” Hicks said. “Sandy is being trained in emotional support response and victim assistance, with a focus on providing comfort to individuals experiencing emotional distress, trauma, or crisis situations.”
LUPD also helps students who are looking for law enforcement experience with paid internships.
“They check buildings, lock them, and assist with a safety escort if somebody doesn’t feel safe walking,” Popillion said. “They assist with large scale events like basketball or football games by checking bags and doing security at those locations.”
The department takes it one step further by covering the cost for the College Police Academy if the student was selected into the program. Students will still be paid for their internship for the duration of their education at the academy.
Things have started to change over the previous weeks and will continue with the months to come. LUPD hopes to see the rebranding finished by the end of this spring semester.
For more information, students can visit universitypolice.lamar.edu.
LUPD officer Omar Lopez, and LU student Micah Jackson shake hands in the Setzer Student Center food court. UP photos by Emily Flores
