UTPD today honored Jeff Maples, a longtime UT partner for his advocacy and support of the department. Maples received the 2020 UTPD Partner of the Year Award.

The UT Police Department has won a top award in a statewide law enforcement challenge for its traffic safety and education initiatives. UTPD placed first in the university police category of the 2020 Law Enforcement Challenge, a program of the Tennessee Highway Safety Office.

UTPD officers have ditched their razors for the last six weeks to benefit UT’s new on-campus pantry. Through ‘No Shave November’ and ‘Double Down December,’ the department has raised $1,725 for the Big Orange Pantry.

The UT Police Department has honored three employees for outstanding performance and service this year to the university and the community. The award recipients seized weapons from suspects to keep campus safer, mentored fellow officers, and streamlined the university’s array of alarm systems to make them more efficient.

Mike Richardson, a UTPD lieutenant in the Administrative Division, graduated with a master’s degree in criminal justice-emergency management from Liberty University.

During her 26 years at the University of Tennessee Police Department, Deputy Chief Emily Simerly has created a unit that connects police officers and students in meaningful partnerships and instituted processes that allow UTPD to more efficiently serve the Volunteer community. In light of these and other efforts, Simerly has received a statewide honor for her leadership in improving law enforcement.