Message from the Chief
At St. Edward’s University, learning takes place not only in the classroom, but all over campus, and we in the University Police Department believe that we have some important lessons to offer.
We are a modern, full service police agency, whose commitment goes beyond the typical definition of police work. Every one of the men and women who wear the badge is not only a fully trained police professional, but also an educator. We believe the best way to protect those we serve is to teach them how to protect themselves.
Some lessons are simple (keep doors and windows locked, walk with groups after dark, be aware of your surroundings, etc.), others are not. The expectation is that these lessons will not only keep our students safer on campus, but will help us achieve our ultimate goal of cultivating a generation of responsible, safety-conscious citizens. Our success to date is one of the reasons that St. Edward’s University holds a reputation as one of the safest campuses in the nation.
We teach lessons in personal safety through programs and presentations in classrooms, residence halls, and community events. Information is also available in a variety of pamphlets and on this website. Our people reinforce these lessons every day as they walk, bike, and drive across campus, interacting with students, faculty, staff, and visitors, making themselves a highly visible and approachable presence. We are constantly working to ensure that our department is a model of proactive policing that can be emulated by universities and police in small and mid-sized communities across the nation and around the world.
Our continued success will depend largely upon our ability to work with the university community, so we are always seeking input from the students, faculty, staff, and visitors. If you have comments, complaints, or ideas you would like to share, please feel free to e-mail me at rudolphr@stedwards.edu, call our offices at 512-448-8477, or visit our offices in Holy Cross Hall.