Pan American University merged with The University of Texas System, in 1989. The Department was primarily a Traffic and Security operation but was upgraded to a full police department there after. The UPD provides regular car, bike and foot patrols on campus. Besides its university regulation and law enforcement duties, the UPD is responsible for Parking Services. To enforce the parking regulations and state laws, the police department has (40) full-time and part-time personnel.

Since 1992, there has been an increase in non-sworn personnel, implementation of new case management and record systems, addition of a 24-hour communications system and on-line access to the Texas and National Crime Information Centers, addition of new patrol vehicles and expansion of the police department facilities. In Fall 1994, the police department moved into a newly renovated area of the Academic Support Facilities Complex, with three times the space previously available, approximately 7000 square ft. with a Law Library, Communications Center, Field Training, Court Conference room, Booking and Interview rooms. The department has an escort service for students and employees who request an escort to a building or their vehicles at night. A police community assistance station in the Learning Resource Center to better serve the University.

The University Police have an excellent relationship will all local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. We sponsor numerous in-service training programs for the Valley law enforcement agencies, in an effort to improve law enforcement in the region. The Chief is involved in numerous civic and professional organizations, such as The International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA); Executive Board Member, Texas New Mexico Association of Campus Police; Committee Chair, RGV Chiefs Association, RGV Police Academy Advisory Board, U.S. Department of Justice Law Enforcement Steering Committee, The Criminal Justice Training Institute and numerous federal and state organizations.