The Role of the UC Police Department in Assisting Students

The UCSB Police Department is a full service police organization that is open 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. University of California Police Officers generally provide for the peace, safety, and security of persons and facilities on the University campus, properties owned, controlled, or occupied by the University of California. It is the function of the patrol unit to provide twenty-four hour uniformed patrol coverage and police response to all areas of the university.

UCSB Police Department plays a pivotal role in responding to distressed students. The campus police force provides UCSB with 24-hour emergency response services for medical, psychiatric, and safety concerns. UCPD is the designated organization on campus for calling in the county's mobile mental health assessment team.

Call UCPD if you feel unsafe and/or a situation requires immediate attention.
(805) 893-3446 (emergency and non-emergency)
911 (emergency)

 Why call UCPD?

  • UCSB's only emergency response team
  • Highly trained in mental health issues
  • Liaison with Santa Barbara County's mobile mental health assessment team
  • Primary focus in emergency situations is individual and community safety, not getting students in trouble

When to call UCPD (or 911)

  • Highly disruptive behavior (e.g., hostility, aggression that causes alarm) or homicidal threats
  • Inability to communicate clearly (e.g., garbled or slurred speech, disjointed thoughts)
  • Loss of contact with reality (e.g., seeing or hearing things that are not there, beliefs or actions at odds with reality)
  • Overt suicidal thought and gestures (suicide is a current option)
  • If you feel unsafe
  • If someone needs an immediate psychiatric assessment