About

The University of Massachusetts Amherst is the Commonwealth's flagship campus. With a population of over 35,000 including 14,000 resident students, UMass Amherst is both a center for higher education and a vibrant, active community. As with any community of similar size, criminal activity and emergencies do occur on campus.

To combat crime and ensure public tranquility, the University of Massachusetts Amherst Police Department is a visible part of campus life. UMPD is organized, trained, and equipped to provide progressive law enforcement and emergency services to our community.

As set forth in Massachusetts General law: “The (University) trustees may appoint as police officers persons in the employ of the University who in the enforcement of said rules and regulations and throughout university property shall have the powers of police officers, except as to service of civil process.” (MGL: Ch. 75, Sec.32A)

Therefore, our officers possess the power and authority to apprehend and arrest anyone involved in illegal acts on campus. In addition, the University of Massachusetts Amherst Police Department and the Towns of Amherst, Hadley, Belchertown and Deerfield have ratified mutual aid agreements which give UMPD officers the authority to take police action in those jurisdictions while on duty. Each department augments the other within their jurisdiction during mutual responses, investigations, arrests and prosecutions. It is a regular practice for these agencies to work together on investigations that may cross jurisdictional boundaries.  Local police and the University police attend weekly meetings with the Dean of Students’ Office to exchange ideas and concerns of interest to both communities.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst Police Department operates 24 hours per day, seven days a week, providing all patrol, investigative, specialized, and emergency response, as well as crime prevention and educational services at the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus. University of Massachusetts Amherst police officers attend the municipal police training academies located throughout the Commonwealth. UMPD is amongst the best qualified, motivated, supervised, and led police departments in the region and in the nation. We strive to maintain the highest ethical and performance standards in our policies, procedures, and actions.

By mutual agreement with state and federal agencies, UMPD maintains a Criminal Justice Information Services terminal which provides department personnel with access to the National Crime Information Computer System as well as the Criminal History Systems Board for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. These computer databases are used to enhance public safety by accessing criminal history data, nationwide police records, driver/vehicle identification information, as well as other local, state and federal law enforcement information.

The sworn personnel and support staff of the University of Massachusetts Amherst Police Department are dedicated to ensuring that the Amherst campus is a safe environment for studying, teaching, researching, recreating, and living. Our department strives toward this goal through problem-solving partnerships with the faculty, staff, and students, as well as state and local governmental bodies, and our community's neighbors. The University of Massachusetts Amherst Police Department works in collaboration with state and federal law enforcement agencies on an ongoing basis.

Feel free to contact us for routine business or if you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions regarding the University of Massachusetts Amherst Police Department. You may call the UMPD at (413) 545-2121, or stop by and talk with us. We are located at 585 East Pleasant St., Amherst, Massachusetts 01003. You may also contact us with general questions at umpd@admin.umass.edu.

CONTACT

UMPD
585 East Pleasant Street
Amherst, MA 01003-9600

umpd@admin.umass.edu
413-545-2121 non-emergency
413-545-3111 emergency or 911
413-545-3113 fax

Tips

Call 413-577-TIPS (8477) or use our Anonymous Witness Form.