The UTMB Police Department recently was named the Pacesetter Police Department of the Year.
The Pacesetter Award is presented to the police department within the University of Texas System that demonstrated a strong and professional commitment to public safety and contemporary policing over the past year and, in doing so, set an example for other institution police departments to follow.
The award was presented to UTMB Police Chief Tom Engells at the University of Texas System police chiefs’ annual conference recently held in New Braunfels, Texas.
“We serve one of the finest academic institutions in the country, providing a nationally recognized police organization,” said Engells. “It is a true honor for the department to receive the Pacesetter Award since it comes from our colleagues within the UT System.”
Engells noted that UTMB presents unique challenges when it comes to law enforcement. Home to the Galveston National Laboratory, the facility requires multiple security measures. In addition, the fact that UTMB has campuses or clinics in several counties can also be challenging.
With its staff of 126, the UTMB Police Department is focused on professional policing and is dedicated to providing safe and secure environments for higher education, research and health care.
UT System includes 575 officers in all, making it the third largest state law enforcement agency in Texas.