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About Us

The University of Pittsburgh Police Department is a full-service law enforcement agency providing 24-hour protection for nearly 40,000 students, faculty, staff and visitors.

We recognize the special requirements of an educational environment and promote safety through education, prevention and community policing.

In addition to receiving the same training as their municipal police counterparts, our officers are required to have bachelor’s degrees – rare for a police force. Our officers know what it’s like to be a college student and can “see things through a student’s eyes.”

As the third-largest law enforcement agency in Allegheny County, we cover the 132-acre Pittsburgh campus along with University facilities in outlying Pittsburgh neighborhoods such as the Surplus Warehouse on Thomas Boulevard and the South Side Sports Complex. Because of our extensive coverage, we can respond to most calls for assistance within minutes.

Pitt Police officers

Our Team

We have approximately 100 commissioned officer positions, which include a motorcycle unit of six officers, a bicycle unit of six officers, a K-9 unit of four officers (two are K-9s), and a Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) team that is fully equipped to immediately respond to life-threatening events. Ten communications room personnel, 46 security guards, and four administrative professionals are also integral members of our department.

All commissioned officers are certified under state law and regularly receive training in “rapid response, active shooter.”
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Professional Conduct

Our force, recently equipped with body cameras, is thoroughly trained to defuse fights, threats, psychological crises and other critical situations — and all have had training about implicit and unconscious biases. Police interaction with the public is expected, and officers’ contact with the public better serves the community. 
A Pitt Police officer

Employee Recognition

Our department values its employees' hard work and dedication. Meet some of these exceptional employees.
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Our Partners

We work closely with the City of Pittsburgh Police and police forces at neighboring universities as well as other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Pitt also contracts with private security guards as residence hall desk attendants and building and parking monitors.
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History

Since its inception, the University of Pittsburgh Police Department has steadily progressed into a state-of-the-art law enforcement agency. With the constant support of the University community, the department has utilized educational and training opportunities to become a respected part of the community.