Rice Police Department celebrates 40th anniversary

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– December 10, 2010Posted in: Current News

Rice Police Department celebrates 40th anniversary

BY FRANZ BROTZEN
Rice News staff

Seventh RUPD Citizens’ Police Academy to begin in January

Members of the Rice community can get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to serve on the Rice University Police Department through the Citizens’ Police Academy. RUPD is now accepting enrollments for its seventh academy, set for Jan. 24-April 18. Each Monday from 6 to 9 p.m., participants will receive training on police procedures, communications, criminal investigations, alcohol and drugs, firearms safety, patrol and tactical operations and more.

The training is free and open to members of the Rice community age 18 and older. Registration is limited to the first 25 applicants and can be done at http://rupd.rice.edu/radform.cfm. For more information, contact RUPD Sgt. Jim Baylor, 713-348-4594 or baylor@rice.edu, or go to http://tinyurl.com/23d4e52.

The Rice University Police Department marked its 40th anniversary Dec. 3 with a celebration in Duncan Recital Hall attended by the entire force, retired officers, telecommunications operators, security specialists and support staff.

Noting that a sense of community is vital to the functioning of a university, President David Leebron told the audience, “The things we do here would simply not be possible without the security you provide.”

Leebron administered the oath of office to the assembled RUPD members. Officer Ken Nipe then lit a memorial candle for the deceased members of the force.

Special mention was made of Sgt. Willie Anderson, who was the first member of Rice’s fledgling police department in 1970. Anderson was on hand to acknowledge the acclaim.

Chief William Taylor, in his remarks, explained that RUPD’s mission is to “provide a safe environment on campus” so that Rice students, faculty and staff can learn and grow.

Leebron applauded Taylor’s statement and said, “We cannot succeed without your help.”

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