Weather Alerts

The purpose of this policy is to provide officers with direction in the event of Weather Alerts and Weather Warnings.

Policy: Weather Alerts

Author: Chief Joseph M. Hallman

WILEAG Standard: N/A

Issue Date: August 15, 2023

Reviewed Date: April 21, 2026

Revised Date: April 21, 2026

 

Purpose:

The purpose of this policy is to provide officers with direction in the event of Weather Alerts and Weather Warnings.

Policy:

It is the policy of the Department that all officers will be properly prepared to deal with Weather Alerts and Weather Warnings to ensure the safety of the campus community and visitors.

Definitions:

1. Thunderstorm Warning- a thunderstorm that has the possibility of producing a tornado, winds of at least 58 mph, and/or hail at least 1" in diameter. Structural wind damage may imply the occurrence of a severe thunderstorm. A thunderstorm wind that is equal to or greater than 40 mph and/or hail of at least ½" is defined as approaching severe.
2. Tornado Warning- This is issued when a tornado is indicated by the WSR-88D radar or sighted by spotters in the area.

Procedures:

1. Officer Responsibility during weather alerts/warnings:
   1. Many campus buildings have weather alert Public Address Systems to alert persons of tornado warnings.  In the event of a Tornado Warning in the City of Platteville area, the On-Duty Officer, as soon as possible, will initiate the Tornado Warning Public Address System.
      1. Tornado activation instructions are available on the University Police SharePoint documents folder.
      2. Instructions have also been issued to each officer in a laminated business card format.
2. Officer’s Additional Responsibilities:
   1. If a severe thunderstorm warning or tornado warning is received, the officer will contact all persons engaged in activities outside and direct those persons to seek shelter.  This includes, but is not limited to, activities at the track, volleyball pits, baseball field, softball field, Pioneer Stadium, Memorial Park, Rountree Trail North & South, Frisbee Golf Course, practice fields, and pedestrian malls/sidewalks, and common areas outside of residence halls.
   2. Officers will make contact with all summer camps holding outdoor activities, and advise them of the weather alert/warning and direct them to seek shelter.
   3. The On-Duty Officer will also contact a supervisor to advise him/her of the current weather alerts and, if known, any injuries or damage to University property, when it is safe to do so.