Welcome to UK from Police Chief Joe Monroe
The following message was sent to incoming UK students on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025
Welcome to the Big Blue Nation, Wildcats.
I’m Joe Monroe, Chief of Police here at the University of Kentucky. As you begin your time at UK, I want to personally welcome you and assure you that your safety is a top priority — every day, in every part of campus.
Since I became Chief of Police more than 15 years ago, we have invested nearly $20 million in safety initiatives, including remote lockdown capabilities across our campus; expanded security camera coverage; emergency notification technology and several specialized police units, including a K-9 unit and special victims unit.
We know that feeling safe and supported is key to your success, and every year we continue to make major investments to ensure your experience here is safe and smooth.
Over the past year alone, we have:
- Increased UKPD patrols during late-night hours
- Improved lighting in key areas — and we’re installing permanent fixtures this year
- Enhanced security in residence halls and parking garages
- Worked with the City of Lexington and local businesses to improve off-campus safety
And we’re not stopping there. This year, we’re:
- Deploying a state-of-the-art mobile police unit on North Campus, near Good Samaritan Hospital
- Enhancing residence hall security with cameras and access controls
- Installing new permanent lighting along Winslow and Scott Street
- Implementing a first responder drone program to enhance emergency response
- Introducing SafeZone, our new campus safety app designed to give you fast, easy access to help when you need it
With these investments in place, we are excited to launch Wildcat Ready — our campus-wide safety campaign to help you stay informed, be prepared and take action when it matters.
Here’s how you can get started:
- Download the SafeZone app for help on the go, virtual police escorts and more.
- Stay informed through the UK Alert system. All students are automatically enrolled to receive alerts via email. We also encourage all students to update your UK Alert preferences in myUK to receive UK Alerts via phone call and text.
- Review the Emergency Response Guide so you know what to do in any emergency.
We’re excited to have you here and are committed to making your experience safe and successful. You’ve got big things ahead — and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Be smart. Be safe. Be Wildcat Ready.
Sincerely,
Joe Monroe
Chief of Police
University of Kentucky Police Department
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.