UT Public Safety

07/31/2026

We're Hiring! Environmental Health & Safety at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville is looking for a Technical Writer to join our team!

This role will help transform complex EHS information into clear, consistent, and accessible resources that support safety across our campus community.

Ready to make an impact through clear, effective communication?

Learn more and apply: https://tiny.utk.edu/TechnicalWriter

07/27/2026

Congratulations to UTPD on their sixth CALEA reaccreditation with Gold Standard Advanced Accreditation!

07/24/2026

Congrats to Chief Patterson on this accompolishment!

University of Tennessee Police Chief Sean Patterson has been sworn in as president of the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of […]

07/06/2026

Congratulations to Ricky Rutherford on achieving two significant professional milestones!

Ricky has successfully passed the Board of Certified Safety Professionals, Associate Safety Professional (ASP®) examination, earning the Associate Safety Professional (ASP®) credential. This achievement demonstrates a strong foundation in environmental, health, and safety principles and marks an important step toward becoming a Certified Safety Professional (CSP®).

In addition, Ricky has earned the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) credential, recognizing his expertise in developing, implementing, and evaluating health education programs that promote healthier communities and empower individuals to make informed decisions about their well-being.

These accomplishments reflect Ricky's dedication to professional growth and his commitment to advancing workplace safety and public health.
Please join us in congratulating Ricky on these outstanding achievements!

06/25/2026

When every second counts, immediate care can save lives.

Today, University of Tennessee Police Department and AMR - East Tennessee celebrated the graduation of eight officers from UT's first Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) class.

Congrats to our graduates!

06/08/2026

In order to promote positive safety culture in UT labs, the Lab Safety Committee is continuing the Lab Safety Culture Awards Subcommittee. The theme for the first category of awards of 2026 was “Rethinking the Basics by Deepening Awareness of Workspace Hazards.” Quarter 1 awards were distributed in May 2026:

1st place: Gene Patrick Rible – Research Technician, Biomedical Engineering
2nd place: Jahirul Hasnat Rafi – Graduate Teaching Assistant, Microbiology
3rd place: Tamanna Jafar – Graduate Teaching Assistant, Microbiology

Congratulations, winners!

View submissions here: tiny.utk.edu/Q1winners

05/14/2026

Members of the UTK Incident Management Team spent time today participating in a full-scale exercise lead by UTK Office of Emergency Management. The exercise simulated a variety of disruptions, including large-scale power outages, cyber-related incidents, and campus management issues for the team to work through.

Always great when University of Tennessee Police Department, Public Safety, UT Facilities Services and our other campus partners get to work together!

04/01/2026

Congratulations to Ryan Setzer from our Industrial Worker Safety team for earning his Safety Trained Supervisor Construction (STSC) credential!

Issued by the BCSP, the STSC recognizes professionals who demonstrate strong competency in key safety areas like hazard monitoring, regulatory compliance, employee training, safety documentation, and coordinating solutions to workplace hazards.

This certification highlights Ryan’s leadership and commitment to creating safer work environments - especially in roles where safety is a critical part of broader responsibilities in construction, trades, and technical operations.

We’re proud to have Ryan on our team and grateful for the impact he makes every day in advancing safety across campus!

03/24/2026

From day one, Ryan Steffy has embraced the fast-paced, ever-changing world of emergency management at the University of Tennessee.

Since joining the Office of Emergency Management in June 2024, Ryan has played a vital role in strengthening campus preparedness, reviewing plans, coordinating exercises, and supporting leadership during critical moments.

To further sharpen his skills, Ryan recently completed FEMA’s Basic Academy, an intensive 120-hour program focused on national standards and best practices in emergency management.

“The Basic Academy was an intensive experience, but it was incredibly valuable,” Ryan shared. “It didn’t just add knowledge, it refined how I think, plan, and coordinate.”

This milestone reflects Ryan’s dedication to continuous growth and UT’s commitment to building a safe, resilient campus community. We’re proud to have professionals like Ryan helping ensure we’re prepared for whatever comes next.

👏 Join us in congratulating Ryan on this achievement!

03/19/2026

Congratulations to Officer Kaylyn May! A great accomplishment for UTPD.

🎉 Congratulations to Officer Kaylyn May! 🐾👏

We are proud to celebrate an incredible milestone as Officer May becomes the FIRST certified K-9 trainer in the University of Tennessee Police Department! 🐕‍🦺💙

After completing an intensive 8-week, 320-hour certification program, her hard work, dedication, and passion for law enforcement have truly paid off. This achievement not only marks a personal accomplishment, but also a huge step forward for the department’s growing K-9 program.

Thanks to her commitment, the department is moving toward more in-house training, stronger standards, and continued excellence for K-9 teams. 🚔🐾

Your dedication is inspiring, and your impact will be felt for years to come. Congratulations, Officer May, we can’t wait to see all you accomplish next! 🚔🐾