Rice University Police Department

01/26/2021

The REMS program has always been an integral part of the Rice Community. In these unprecedented times, this program is more important than ever.

Welcome to six new Incharge trainees! REMS student leaders gathered for three days of training at the end of Winter Recess. The new student leaders were able to participate in training on clinical, operational, and leadership topics from campus leaders and REMS alumni, and joined in conversation and planning with the current student leaders. Airway and resuscitation skills were honed, patient assessment skills were reviewed, and driver training was accomplished! Thanks to the students who scheduled time to participate in this training, and to the REMS alumni and campus leaders who made it possible. Looking forward to 2021!!

01/12/2021

So grateful for our Rice University EMS team.

We are all ready to put 2020 behind us. A big thanks to Dr. Hashim Zaidi for helping us kick off the new year with an excellent discussion about personal wellness and vaccines! Thanks to everyone who joined!

01/09/2021

Happy National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day to all the men and women of RUPD, and to all of our fellow law enforcement officers across the nation. Thank you for your service!

12/16/2020

Happy holidays from all of us at RUPD!

10/30/2020

RUPD's involvement in the Rice Children's Campus Halloween Parade looked a little bit different this year, but our officers were still able to pass out special treats! 🍁 🎃

10/20/2020

The Rice University Police Department is saddened to learn that Sgt. Harold Preston, with the Houston Police Department, has died after being shot by a suspect while responding to a domestic disturbance call today. Sgt. Preston was a 41 year veteran with the Houston Police Department who will be greatly missed by family members and his law enforcement family. Please keep the Preston family and the entire Houston Police Department in your thoughts and prayer.

Officer Courtney Waller, who was also on the call with Sgt. Preston was wounded in the arm and is in the hospital recovering from his injuries. Please keep Officer Waller in your prayers for a speedy recovery.

10/20/2020

Prayers for all the officers involved. 🙏

We have two officers who have been shot at a scene at 2600 Holly Hall. HPD SWAT took the barricaded suspect into custody, and he was transported to an area hospital. It is still an active crime scene.

Both wounded officers were taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital. Chief Art Acevedo will provide an update via HPD Periscope/Twitter (@houstonpolice) at 12:30p from Hermann Hospital. We will post a link here also.

10/19/2020

RUPD accreditation commission seeks public comments: A public forum for community comments about the Rice University Police Department will be held during a virtual visit to campus conducted by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).

The commission’s virtual visit will be part of a periodic review of RUPD’s national accreditation, a top recognition of excellence in public safety. Only 3% of all law enforcement agencies in the United States have earned CALEA accreditation.

CALEA will examine all aspects of RUPD’s policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services to verify the department still meets the commission’s best practice standards. An assessment team will review written materials and conduct interviews to determine whether RUPD complies with 189 standards to maintain its accreditation status.

After the assessment team completes its review of RUPD it will report back to the commission, which will then decide if the department will maintain its accredited status. Accreditation continues for three years, during which RUPD must submit annual reports to show it continues to comply with the standards under which it was initially accredited.

The assessment team is comprised of leading public safety practitioners from similar out-of-state agencies, led by Chief Dean Tondiglia of Kent State University and Commander Ernest Knight of the University of Chicago Police Department.

The public forum will be conducted at 10 a.m. Oct. 27, via Zoom at this link: https://riceuniversity.zoom.us/j/99044588684?pwd=NmhvK0UxNDNkK3BJR050NEJBV1RiQT09 (passcode: 229954).

Anyone who cannot participate in the Zoom conference can speak with the assessment team by phone Oct. 26 between 1:30-2:30 p.m. by calling (713) 348-4560 or (713) 348-6350. Written comments about RUPD’s compliance with standards for accreditation can be mailed to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, 13575 Heathcote Blvd., Gainesville VA 20155, or emailed (using “Rice University Police Department” in the subject line) to [email protected].

10/16/2020

Happy Friday!

During the month of October, RUPD officers have been wearing a pink pin to help raise awareness of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is an annual health campaign organized to help raise funds and awareness for research into the cause, treatment, and cure of breast cancer.

09/17/2020

Obituary for Dr. Phillip Hassell at MEMORIAL OAKS CHAPEL INC

We are saddened to hear about the passing of Dr. Phillip Hassel. Dr. Hassel retired from RUPD as a Lieutenant after 20 years of service. We send our deepest condolences to the Hassel family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Dr. Phillip Stewart Hassell, 64, of Independence, Texas passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 13th, 2020 in College Station, TX. Phil was born January 10, 1956 in Houston, Texas to Beverly Williams. He received his undergraduate degree from Houston Baptist University, his Masters in Divinity f...

09/04/2020

Masks ✔️
Physical distance ✔️
Good vibes only ✔️

Special thanks to Brown College for all the fun!

08/28/2020

Our 14th Citizens Police Academy Registration is officially open!

Are you interesting in learning about law enforcement?

This is your chance to take a look from the “inside-out” to learn how your police agency works.

Classes begin Wednesday, September 9 at 6pm via Zoom & In-Class Lectures. Social distancing guidelines will be applied.

Click on the link below to register:

https://signup.rice.edu/RUPDCPA14/

08/12/2020

The Rice University Police Department is saddened to learn of the loss of Beaumont Police Officer Sheena Yarbrough-Powell. Officer Powell was killed in the line of duty on August 9, 2020, after she and her partner were struck head-on by a wrong way driver. Her partner underwent surgery and is in stable condition. He has since been released from the hospital. Unfortunately, Officer Powell did not survive her injuries.

We send our deepest condolences to Officer Powell’s family and to our brothers and sisters in blue at Beaumont Police Department during this time. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

05/23/2020

First Christian Church is collecting food for those in need, and RUPD was happy to participate. If you can, please consider supporting the church in this critical endeavor by donating. RUPD is thankful for all of our community partners like First Christian Church.

05/22/2020

Blue skies all day on campus.

05/16/2020

🚨CONGRATULATIONS OWLS🚨
A special message from Chief Rodriguez below wishes the Class of 2020 well. The women and men of RUPD have honored to serve you during your time at Rice. Be well, stay safe and go owls! 👐🏽🦉👐🏽

05/13/2020

Grateful for the women and men of RUPD and their service to the university. #NationalPoliceWeek

05/11/2020

Rice University Police Department's cover photo

05/06/2020

Amazing!

Front row seat for the @usnavyblueangels flyover to honor our healthcare workers on the frontlines here in Houston. 🛩

Incredibly thankful for our neighbors at the Medical Center for their immense efforts during this time.

#GoOwls👐 x #IntellectualBrutality @ Houston, Texas

05/05/2020

Pulitzer Prize awarded to Rice history professor

A big congratulations to Dr. Caleb McDaniel!

Caleb McDaniel’s 'Sweet Taste of Liberty' tells true story of slavery and restitution in America.

05/02/2020

We are saddened to hear the loss of Houston Police Department Tactical Flight Officer Jason Knox.

Our heart is with our brothers and sisters at HPD. We send you our deepest condolences. Please keep Officer Knox’s family in your thoughts and prayers.

04/22/2020

🚨 REMS 🚨

Today was the last leadership team meeting of the semester, in the last week of classes. It's a bittersweet time! We will take time to celebrate all of the graduating REMS seniors this week. Whether together live in person, or together on zoom, it's amazing to be part of this team, and we will miss the three seniors who are leaving us shortly!!

04/17/2020

🍔🚨 Thank you, Rev. Michael Dunn and the First Christian Church congregation, for providing RUPD and REMS with amazing burgers from Tapsters Grill. We appreciate the care and support from the community! 🚨🍔

04/16/2020

☎️🚨 We celebrate our public safety telecommunications personnel ALWAYS, but this week is just for them! We are filled with gratitude and admiration for all that they do. 🚨☎️

04/16/2020

We continue to celebrate National Telecommunicators Week with a fun casual dress day! Love the choice of t-shirts by our wonderful dispatchers. Thank you for all you do to keep us safe!

04/13/2020

We are here for you on campus if you need us! 713-348-6000 for office-campus phones, x6000 for on-campus phones.

04/05/2020

Two years ago, on April 5, 2018, we lost RUPD Detective Rommel Espinola. You will always be remembered and honored, brother. Please join us in honoring his memory.

04/03/2020

A reminder for our friends in the community- please help us keep Rice safe.

03/24/2020

Staff

Wonderful guidelines for our staff on campus!

Located in an urban environment on a 300-acre tree-lined campus, Rice University seizes its advantageous position to pursue pathbreaking research and create innovative collaboration opportunities that contribute to the betterment of our world.

03/16/2020

RUPD would like to extend a heart-felt thank you to the custodial staff members from Facilities Engineering and Planning at Rice University and Rice University Dining. Their hard work and dedication throughout this very challenging time has been so appreciated, not just from us, but from all members of the campus community! When you see them on campus, remember to thank them.

03/12/2020

Yesterday the staff working in the command post received a welcome from visit form Tycho, the amazing therapy pup! Everyone was grateful for the visit!

03/10/2020

Please follow the CDC guidelines for hygiene habits. RUPD is here for the Rice Community!

03/03/2020

Thank you Officer Ruth Maxwell for 17 years of dedicated service to Rice University and RUPD. We will miss you!

03/02/2020

Congratulations REMS!

Several REMS members and alumni were pleased to participate in this year's NCEMSF conference in Boston! Cpt. Sam Reddick and EMS Director Lisa Basgall presented on heat emergencies. Dr. Cameron Decker presented on syncope. Dr. Faroukh Mehkri presented on vaping injuries. Lt. Chase Hinman presented his poster on medical providers and stress. It was a great conference!!

02/28/2020

We hope you’re celebrating with us today! #GoTexanDay