University Resource Officers (URO)

Policy: University Resource Officers

Author: Chief Joseph M. Hallman

WILEAG Standard: 2.8.1

Issue Date: March 1, 2014

Reviewed Date: April 14, 2026

Revised Date: April 14, 2026

 

Purpose:

The University Police Department has created a University Resource Officer division, staffed entirely by University of Wisconsin-Platteville students, to assist University Police Officers with various tasks.

Policy:

The deployment of University Resource Officers (URO’s) within the patrol function are designed to relieve police officers of some of the more minor and routine tasks that can more effectively and economically be handled by civilian employees.  This will result in freeing up police officers, to deal with higher priority tasks and criminal activities more commensurate with their training and expertise.  URO’s are non-sworn, civilian, employees of the police department. (2.8.1.1)  They are not police officers and do not have arrest authority, the ability to detain subjects, nor use any force in any situation (unless force is used in self-defense).

The position of University Resource Officer for the University of Wisconsin-Platteville is one of considerable trust and responsibility.  Although much of the work may seem routine and mundane, such work is of great importance to ensure efficiency, safety, and security on the campus.

Definitions:

  1. Money Escort: Transporting secured bags of cash, checks, and change from locations on campus to the bank and then back to campus.
  2. Parking Enforcement: The issuance of parking citations for University Parking Violations in all University Parking Lots and approved city streets.
  3. Safe Walk: The Safe Walk Program was instituted in 2010, in an ongoing effort to increase safety for all members of the community.  The program provides all members of the community with a free escort on campus, or within two city blocks of campus.
  4. Security Checks: A security check is a complete and thorough check of a building, checking every door on every floor ensuring that the interior and exterior of the building is secured.

Procedures:

  1. Uniforms & Equipment
    1. URO’s shall wear the prescribed uniform when on-duty and follow policy and procedure as outlined within this policy and training guides.
    2. The University Police Department will provide the following:
      1. Uniform: (2.8.1.3)
        1. Orange polo embroidered shirt
        2. Orange Shell Jacket for winter
      2. Equipment:
        1. Two Way Radio (Police frequency)
        2. University Police Cell Phone
        3. Radio Holster
        4. Parking Citation Writer & Printer
        5. Traffic Vest
        6. University Parking Services marked vehicle
        7. University keys (when applicable)
    3. The URO will provide the following:
      1. Uniform:
        1. Black Dress or BDU Pants
        2. Black shoes or boots
      2. Equipment:
        1. Personal Flashlight
        2. Personal Cell Phone
  2. Supervision
    1. URO’s are under direct supervision and direction of the Administrative Assistant or other duly assigned UW-Platteville Police employee.
  3. Rules of Engagement and Reporting
    1. URO’s are civilian employees and are not sworn police officers. As such, URO’s shall not engage in traffic stops, emergency driving, make physical arrests or transport prisoners.
    2. URO’s shall notify dispatch or the On-Duty Officer of any criminal activity they come upon and request the aid of a police officer.
    3. As a member of the University Police Department, URO’s are mandatory reporters, and Campus Security Authorities:
      1. Mandatory Reporter:  Per Wisconsin Executive Order #54, all employees of the State of Wisconsin shall report child abuse or neglect immediately if it is observed or the employee learns of an incident,
      2. Campus Security Authority: Per Federal Law (Clery Act) all members of the University Police Department shall report any and all Clery crimes to a University Police Officer, whether they learn or observe these crimes on or off duty.
        1. It is the policy of the Police Department that any and all crimes observed or learned be reported to the University Police Department immediately.
  4. URO’s are authorized to and responsible for (2.8.1.2):
    1. Parking Enforcement (primary job responsibility)
      1. Parking Enforcement will be considered URO’s primary duty during the hours:
        1.  9A-4P, Monday through Friday.
        2. 2A-6A, Every Day of the Week (subject to change).
        3. Any and all uncommitted time will be used for Parking Enforcement all other times, not listed above
      2. Special Event Parking & Traffic Direction
        1. URO’s will assist with special event parking and traffic direction for the events.
    2. Safe Walk
      1. URO’s are responsible for all Safe Walk requests.  This duty will supersede any other function or task.
      2. Safe Walk is a 24/7 service.  When URO’s are unavailable, an on-duty officer is responsible for the Safe Walk escort.
      3. URO’s will meet the requestor for a Safe Walk at the location of requestor’s choosing.  URO’s will escort, by walking the requestor, to his/her desired destination. 
        1. URO’s are ONLY allowed to use a vehicle to complete a Safe Walk if weather conditions create a safety concern (Ice, Thunderstorms, etc.)
    3. Based on Department need and at the approval of the Chief of Police the following job duties could also be assigned:
      1. Building Security
        1. URO’s will be responsible for completing security checks in all academic buildings, and exits of all Residence Halls, when these buildings are closed every evening and on weekends.
        2. A log will be kept of all security checks.  This log will include:
          1. Building Name
          2. Time
          3. Room # of Exit Description of any unlocked or unlatched door.
      2. Building Lock/Unlock
        1. URO’s will be responsible for securing interior and exterior doors to University Buildings per the lock/unlock schedule or at the On-Duty Officer’s direction.
      3. Student Armory Weapon Check In/Out
        1. URO’s, when available, will assist the On-Duty Officer with checking student weapons in/out of the University Police Student Armory.
      4. Vehicle Lockouts
        1. URO’s, when available, will assist the On-Duty Officer with vehicle lockouts on campus.
          1. Prior to completing a vehicle lockout without supervision each URO MUST have completed, at a minimum, two successful lockouts with an officer.
      5. Money Escorts
        1. URO’s will be responsible for the morning & afternoon money runs.
      6. Found Property
        1. URO’s will accept found property and properly inventory the property and store it in Lost & Found.
      7. Other tasks as assigned by the Chief of Police or designee
  5. Training (2.8.1.4)
    1. Upon hiring, URO’s will be provided with a training guide “URO Student Employment Handbook”.  New URO employees will have one on one training with the URO Coordinator, and will work with veteran URO employees, until the new URO employee feels comfortable to work on his/her own.
  6. Bonding/Liability Protection (2.8.1.5)
    1. Liability protection is provided to all officers, employees and agents of the University under Wis. Stat. §895.46(1). URO’s acting under the direction and control of the University and for its benefit are considered agents and are covered.
    2. Actions that could lead to potential liability claims shall be reported promptly to the UW–Platteville Police Chief.
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