Ask the Chief
Ever wonder why the police do what we do? The University of Houston-Clear Lake Police Department prefers to operate in an open and transparent environment. Unless it impedes our ability to meet our mission, our work is not a secret. So if you have a question, please ask.
Questions can be emailed to policechief@uhcl.edu. Answers will be posted to this section of our website on a regular basis. Before you send your question, take a look at the answers already posted. Maybe your question has already been answered.
Paul S. Willingham
Chief of Police
University Police
Q. Are University Police Officers real Police Officers?
A. Indeed they are. Per the Texas Education Code Section 51.203, University Police Officers are vested with the same powers as all peace officers in the State of Texas. University Police Officers are required to train and certify just as their county, municipal, and state counterparts.
Q. Are traffic laws applicable on campus?
A. Yes they are. Per Section 51.201, all general and criminal laws of the State of Texas are declared to be in full force and effect within the areas under the control and jurisdiction of all state institutions of higher education.
Q. Can a University Police Officer make a traffic stop or arrest off campus?
A. Yes. The primary jurisdiction of a University Police Officer is any county in which the university owns, leases, rents, or controls property. At the University of Houston-Clear Lake, we purposefully focus our traffic enforcement function to those areas that impact the university community (namely, the campus itself and major roadways adjacent to our entrances).
Q. By what authority can the UHCL Police Department cite parking violations or make traffic stops on campus?
A. Per the Texas Education Code Sections 51.202 and 5.205, each state institution of higher education may promulgate rules and regulations for the safety and welfare of students, employees and property to include provisions for governing the operations of and parking of vehicles on campus grounds. This includes, but is not limited to:
1. Limiting rate of speed.
2. Assigning parking spaces and parking areas and assessing fees for parking.
3. Prohibiting parking as deemed necessary.
4. Removing vehicles parked in violation of institutional rules.
5. Registering vehicles for identification.
Q. By what authority can the UHCL Police cite smoking violators?
A. Per Texas Education Code Section 51.202, the University of Houston-Clear Lake may enact rules and regulations impacting its campus life. Per Texas Education Code Section 51.210, University Police Officers are empowered to enforce said rules and regulations.
Q. Does my vehicle need to have up to date registration and inspection stickers while operating on campus?
A. Yes. Per Texas Education Code Section 51.207, all vehicles operated on campus must meet the same requirements of vehicles on public roadways. This includes up to date registration and inspections stickers.
Q. What types of tickets are written by the University of Houston-Clear Lake Police?
A. Per the Texas Education Code Section 51.208, the Justice of the Peace for Harris County Precinct 8 handles our “public” citations. As a means of providing enforcement at a lower cost and impact to our students, faculty, and staff; the UHCL Police also may write “in house” citations. “In House” citations do not appear on driving records. It is left to the individual officer’s discretion as to which type citation is issued. If “in house” tickets are not paid, then encumbrances and restrictions of parking privileges are used as further escalated action. If “public” citations are ignored, the Justice of the Peace will likely issue a bench warrant for arrest.
Q. Can someone be forced to leave or be restricted from the university since it is public property?
A. Yes. Per Texas Education Code Section 51.209, a state institution of higher education may refuse to allow persons having no legitimate business to enter campus. The same is true for ejection.
Q. Am I required to show identification to a UHCL Police Officer upon request?
A. Yes. In fact, per Texas Education Code, Section 51.209, identification may be required of any person on university property. Furthermore, any staff or faculty of the university may require you to show identification. It should also be known that failure to show identification upon request from a Police Officer is a citable and/or arresting offense.
Q. Do drug laws apply to me on campus?
A. Most certainly all state and federal drug laws apply on campus. Furthermore, the University has a strict no drug policy on campus which is enforced.
Q. Can I bring a gun on campus? What if I have a concealed handgun license?
