Officer holds child

Community Engagement

University Police Services emphasizes proactive policing, and interaction with the community is encouraged at all levels in order to achieve this goal. Our commitment to community relations is exhibited through our participation in campus outreach events, performances at special events, distribution of crime prevention and safety materials to campus and local media outlets, posting of crime alert bulletins to notify the campus community of specific crime problems in the area, and more.

Presentations & Classes

Self-Defense Classes

University Police Services offers Jane Jitsu Self-Defense classes in order to provide our participants with the basic skills to escape an attacker and how to avoid dangerous situations whenever possible. These classes are intended to teach participants to take an active role in their own self-defense. Officers cover awareness, prevention, risk reduction, and avoidance surrounding the premise of a spontaneous attack. Police Services' self-defense classes are open to all students, faculty, staff and community members. Registration may only be done through links that are sent out via student emails, campus messaging, on UPD's Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages, and on the Police Services events calendar on our website.

Finding Support

We encourage our students, faculty, and staff to take steps toward protecting their personal safety and property; and, want to be clear that, no matter the circumstances, victim-survivors are not responsible for crimes or violence committed against them.

If you become a victim of assault in any form, there are many resources you can turn to as you navigate the aftermath of your experience. First of all, know that it is not your fault, that you are not alone, and that you are entitled to feel safe and receive nonjudgmental help and support.

Campus Resources

Campus Presentations

We offer presentations on any topics involving personal safety, campus policing, crime prevention, and emergency preparedness and can customize a presentation to suit your needs. Current presentations we offer include:

  • Police services provided to the campus community.
  • Crime prevention in the areas of auto theft, burglary, robbery, nighttime safety, sexual assault, identity theft, cyberstalking, pedestrian safety, and more.
  • Orientation presentations for new students and their parents as well as faculty and staff.
  • Campus emergency preparedness.
  • Active shooter situations and personal safety on campus.
  • Job recruitment for the University Police Services and police academy information

To request a presentation for your group or class please complete the Community Outreach request form.

Have questions? Contact Amberly Nelson at 702-895-5784 or amberly.nelson@unlv.edu.

Related Links

Ride-Along Program

All members of the public are invited to participate in a patrol ride-along to gain a firsthand perspective on law enforcement. To participate in a ride-along, you will be asked to:

  • Sign a waiver. You may print out the waiver and bring it with you to Police Headquarters. Please note that all signatures must be made on the day of the ride-along, in the presence of University Police Services. 
  • Dress professionally (i.e., no shorts or T-shirts for males and no skirts, shorts, T-shirts, or tank tops for females; all ride-along participants should wear slacks and a shirt or blouse with a collar).
  • Follow all directions given by the officer during the ride.
Officer smiles

To schedule a ride-along or obtain more information, please email updrecords@unlv.edu.

Events & Activities

Orientation of UNLV Residential and Athletic Staff

University Police Services provides faculty and staff with the training necessary to address today's campus safety and law enforcement concerns. Through the Dormitory Liaison Program, officers routinely patrol the dorms, building relationships with staff and residents. Officers also conduct exercises that educate residential life staff on issues specific to on-campus living. University Police Services provides similar educational training to our athletics department as well.

Safety and Security Surveys

The University Police Services' Detective Bureau and Office of Police Technology are actively involved in conducting security surveys of buildings throughout campus. To arrange a security survey of your facility, contact the University Police Services' Detective Unit for more information.

Public Information Officers (PIOs)

University Police Services has a designated Public Information Officer, or PIO, who assists the department in disseminating information to the community in addition to their regular duties. They frequently present to the campus on a variety of law enforcement subjects and serve as a point of contact for media outlets seeking information regarding policing matters on campus. Sgt. William Williams is University Police Services current PIO. To schedule a presentation or interview with the PIO, please contact Assistant Director Arnold Vasquez at 702-714-4172 or arnold.vasquez@unlv.edu.

Social Media Outreach

Follow University Police Services on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for exclusive department news and notification of our community outreach events. Our social media accounts provide yet another tool in an ever-growing array of resources to notify students, faculty, staff, and community members in the event of an on-campus emergency.