CHAMPAIGN – U. of I. Police officers are working proactively with Campus Recreation staff to prevent theft at facilities like the Activities and Recreation Center in Champaign and Campus Recreation Center East in Urbana. Theft is the most commonly reported crime on just about every college campus in the country, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is no exception. Publicly accessible areas – like outdoor fields, libraries and recreation centers – tend to be the most susceptible to theft, particularly if students and others are leaving valuables unattended. During the fall semester in 2016, seven thefts were reported at [...]

URBANA – The University of Illinois Police Department is congratulating its newest officer, Alex Tran, on his graduation Thursday from the Basic Law Enforcement class at the University of Illinois Police Training Institute. The intensive 12-week class is one of the first required steps to being a police officer in the state of Illinois, introducing new officers to various state laws, investigative techniques, physical skills, community policing and current issues in law enforcement. “We’re thrilled to have Officer Tran on board,” said U. of I. Police Chief Jeff Christensen. “As an Illinois graduate, he is already a part of our campus community [...]

We had 11 questions for Officer Chris Elston in our ongoing series to get to know Division of Public Safety staff. How long have you worked for the University of Illinois Police Department? Almost five years. What's a typical day like for you? Weather permitting, I like to patrol on one of our Harley-Davidson police motorcycles. It makes it easy to get around campus, especially if we get a call in an area like the quad. I work the midnight shift, so every day of the week can be interesting. What's your favorite part of your job? What's the worst? [...]

CHAMPAIGN – The University of Illinois Police Department is reminding students about crime reporting options and resources while it assists the Champaign Police Department in following-up on a report that a man was attacked just off campus on March 4. Last week, the Champaign Police Department shared information about a report that a man was approached from behind and struck in the head and face while walking near First and Daniel streets, Champaign, during the early morning hours of March 4. The unknown attacker yelled derogatory statements regarding the man’s perceived ethnicity during the attack. The attack was reported to the Champaign [...]