Campus safety and security: A conversation with UK Police Chief Joe Monroe

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LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 3, 2026) — Keeping the University of Kentucky campus safe takes planning, partnership and transparency. UK Police Chief Joe Monroe sat down with UK Public Relations and Strategic Communications to talk about how safety is built into campus life, particularly in residence halls, why the university shares crime information and what role every member of the UK community plays in staying safe.

Below are some Q&A highlights from that conversation.

How is safety built into UK’s campus, especially in residence halls?

Chief Monroe: Safety in our residence halls is built through a layered approach. We start at the individual room level with secure door locks, then move outward. Access to residence hall floors requires you to scan your ID, access to the building itself is controlled and residence hall staff may also ask individuals to sign in. Each layer is designed to add protection and reduce unauthorized access.

How does that layered approach extend outside the residence halls?

Chief Monroe: Outside the buildings, we’ve increased security in several ways. We’ve expanded the use of cameras, added mobile precinct locations and partnered with Allied Universal to provide security officers, in addition to our usual patrols. Those officers patrol residence hall exteriors, adding another visible layer of safety.

How do technology and security work day-to-day with Residence Life staff?

Chief Monroe: Residence Life staff asked for more visibility into what was happening around their buildings, especially near secondary entrances. In response, we added alarms to doors that shouldn’t be propped open and installed cameras that staff can monitor from the front desk. Each residence hall has an iPad that allows staff to view camera feeds in real time. We’re also continually evaluating new technology to strengthen security and address behaviors like tailgating.

You mentioned you continue to evaluate our safety systems. What does that look like?

Chief Monroe: We’re always looking and evaluating our current systems and technology related to safety. For example, we’re currently piloting a facial authentication system in one residence hall to help staff determine whether someone entering the building is authorized to be there. It’s part of a broader effort to evaluate emerging technology and determine what can be implemented campuswide to make our residence halls even safer.

Why is the university required to share information through crime bulletins and UK Alerts?

Chief Monroe: Universities that receive federal funding are required to comply with the Clery Act. That means publishing crime statistics, maintaining a daily crime log and issuing alerts or bulletins when appropriate. UK Alerts are used when there is an immediate or ongoing threat that requires action. Crime bulletins provide timely information about reported incidents so people can stay informed. Transparency is a critical part of campus safety.

How should students interpret a crime bulletin when they receive one?

Chief Monroe: The most important thing is to read it and pay attention. Crime bulletins are meant to inform, not alarm. They provide general information about what occurred and where, while also protecting the privacy of those involved. In many cases, the situation does not involve an ongoing threat, but the information can still help people make informed decisions and stay aware.

What is most often misunderstood when rumors circulate about alerts or residence hall safety?

Chief Monroe: Rumors usually start when people make assumptions or don’t have all the facts. Crime bulletins are meant to inform the campus community while protecting the privacy of those involved. In many cases, especially in cases of sexual assault, the bulletin will indicate that the suspect is known, but it won’t include identifying details. That can feel frustrating, but it’s intentional. We’re balancing transparency with the responsibility to protect victims and survivors and to avoid spreading misinformation.

How do you describe the university’s responsibility to student safety?

Chief Monroe: Student safety is the university’s top priority. That commitment comes from the highest levels of leadership and guides everything we do. Our goal is to create an environment where students, faculty and staff feel supported and protected.

How do you balance transparency with reassuring the community that campus is safe?

Chief Monroe: It can be challenging, but transparency is essential. Whether it’s through our website, the daily crime log, alerts or conversations like this one, we’re always looking for ways to share information clearly and responsibly. We’re also exploring new communication methods to make information more accessible and easier to understand.

You often say safety is a shared responsibility. What does that mean for the UK community?

Chief Monroe: It means everyone has a role to play. Being aware of your surroundings, reporting suspicious behavior and using available resources all make a difference. If something doesn’t feel right, report it — even if it turns out to be nothing. We’d rather check and prevent a situation from escalating. Tools like the SafeZone app and personal safety programs are there to support that shared responsibility.

What gives you confidence in the safety systems UK has in place today?

Chief Monroe: The support from university leadership is a big factor. Safety is prioritized, and when we identify ways to improve, especially through technology, those efforts are supported. Our 5,000-plus campus camera system, for example, has helped deter crime and solve cases. That combination of technology, staffing and institutional commitment makes a real difference.

For more information on campus safety initiatives, personal safety practices and emergency preparedness, visit go.uky.edu/WildcatReady.