Written by UMDPD Chief of Police Sean Huls | Archived Nov. 10, 2020

On behalf of your UMD Police Department, welcome to UMD! We’re glad you’re here. Our eleven full-time, fully-licensed police officers are ready to serve you, 24-hours a day throughout the year.  

We consider you to be our partners in maintaining the safety of our community, and we offer a few simple tips to help you along the way:

Call us anytime: We are a phone call away in case of an emergency, and so are the fire department and ambulance service. We also ask that you use 911 to report non-emergencies, such as thefts and damage to property. This is the best way to have us respond, as 911 calls are answered 24/7.

Secure your valuables: Unfortunately, theft is a fact of our society and it happens here occasionally, too. The best way to prevent it is by securing your valuables, all the time. Don’t leave your dorm room unlocked when you leave, even if it’s for a short time. Don’t leave anything of value in your vehicle. Don’t leave your belongings unattended.

Report suspicious activity: Many crimes are prevented by alert citizens watching out for themselves or others, and calling 911 when they see something that looks suspicious. Don’t hesitate to call. If it turns out to be nothing, that’s OK. Better safe than sorry.  And don’t ever think that you’re bothering us by calling. That’s what we’re here for.

Respect the weather: It can get cold here. Really cold! If you head out for a hike or a night out with friends, make sure you dress appropriately for the weather, and let someone know where you’ll be. It sounds like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised at how many times we end up helping out people who fail to take Mother Nature into account when they head out.  

Watch out for each other: We’re all in this together, so let’s take care of one another. Watch out for your neighbors and give them a hand when they need it. Be smart and don’t let yourselves or your friends get into situations that could lead to danger.

Don’t be afraid of us: Our officers are not out to write tickets or arrest people or make life uncomfortable for you. We do have a job to do and sometimes it’s tough, but we’re part of this community too and we really are here to help, serve, and protect you. We like to talk and answer questions, so feel free to come up and say hello. We invite you check out our Ride-Along program or consult us on classroom projects if it’s something we can help you with.

The safety of the UMD community is our top priority and we look forward to partnering with you in making this a great year.

Chief Sean Huls

UMD Police Department