Honoring the behind-the-scenes workers who help keep campus safe
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 14, 2025) — Every call made to the University of Kentucky Police Department (UKPD) is first received by one of 12 skilled communications officers. These frontline professionals are the true first responders — sharp listeners, intuitive communicators and extremely talented in managing multiple critical tasks at once. Without their constant dedication and coordination, UKPD officers could not carry out their mission of protecting the campus community.
UK is celebrating those communications officer April 13-19 during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.
“Each communications officer at UKPD brings a unique mix of dedication and expertise to the job,” said UK Police Chief Joe Monroe. “Their commitment is the backbone of our department and essential to the mission of providing a safe and secure community.”
Since 1981, the second week of April is designated as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. The campaign encourages everyone to share small gestures or words of appreciation for the critical work that telecommunications officers provide to their communities.
For more information about National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, visit www.npstw.org/.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.