Emergency: 911 or 740-593-1911
Ohio University Police serve the campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
The Ohio University Police Department (OUPD) is a full service police agency which derives its authority from the Ohio Revised Code Section 3345.04. OUPD is responsible for enforcement of criminal laws, all investigations occurring on campus, and issuing timely warnings of crimes that pose a threat to students and employees.
What you Can Expect When Calling for Mental Health Incidents/Welfare Checks:
Every OUPD officer is Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) certified, meaning they’ve received advanced training to respond effectively and compassionately to mental health related incidents. When students or other community members are experiencing a mental health crisis, OUPD’s goal is not to criminalize distress, but to ensure everyone’s safety and connect individuals to appropriate resources.
OUPD is often contacted to perform welfare checks when friends or family are worried about a student’s well-being. Officers will arrive to ensure the student is safe and, when appropriate, will contact the Athens County Mobile Crisis Team. This team includes a paramedic and a licensed mental health professional, who can provide immediate, on-scene support to the student, often without further involvement from law enforcement. When the Mobile Crisis Team is unavailable, OUPD officers will work directly with the student, ensuring they are treated with dignity, respect, and compassion while working toward a safe outcome.
Students who interact with OUPD in these circumstances can expect a caring and nonjudgmental conversation focused on evaluating their safety and identifying next steps. This may involve transportation to a hospital, referral to mental health services, or connection to other appropriate resources.