Reporting a Crime or Emergency

The following procedure is taken from the Chief of Police's Annual Security Report.

Community members, students, faculty, staff, and guests are encouraged to report all crimes and public safety related incidents to the University of Massachusetts Amherst Police Department in a timely manner.

To report a crime or an emergency from an on-campus phone, call UMPD at extension 5-2121 or, from outside the University phone system, at (413) 545-2121. When using a cell phone, please remember that 911 will reach the State Police who then must transfer the call to UMPD. UMPD recommends pre-programming cell phones with the UMPD dispatch number (413-545-2121). Dispatchers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to answer your call. UMPD officers respond to all requests for service and are the investigating authority for all crimes on campus. In addition to investigating crime reports, UMPD will, when deemed necessary, refer reports to the appropriate office (ex. Dean of Students Office, Title IX Office) or jurisdiction for review or judicial action.

As an added security measure, over 115 emergency "HELP" phones are located at strategic points on campus. These phones are easily identified by their yellow boxes topped with blue lights. When the red emergency button is pushed, the caller is in immediate contact with the UMPD. In addition to providing voice contact with a police dispatcher, HELP phone use also enables a dispatcher to pinpoint the caller's location.

When calling for either emergency or non-emergency service, be prepared to:

  • Clearly identify yourself;
  • State your location;
  • State briefly the nature of your call.

If possible, stay on the line unless otherwise advised by the dispatcher. If assistance is required from off campus, the dispatcher will summon the appropriate police, fire and/or medical service.

Crimes should be reported to UMPD for the purpose of assessing the incident for issuance of a Timely Warning Notice and for including the incident in the annual statistical disclosure. Our Campus Security Authorities (CSAs) are available to all community members for reporting of these crimes.

To report a crime that occurs at an off-campus location, contact the appropriate local police department. In the case of an emergency it is always best to dial 911 and follow the procedures outlined above.

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.