University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg Police to Formalize Overnight Campus Patrol Agreement

A UCM Public Safety officer is seen on duty at a recent commencement ceremony in the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center.

 

The University of Central Missouri (UCM) and the Warrensburg Police Department (WPD) plan to sign a memorandum of understanding that puts WPD officers on campus for overnight patrols beginning Sept. 1, backed by a UCM Department of Public Safety (DPS) officer on call every night to maintain continuous coverage.

The pending agreement builds on a partnership the two departments have historically relied on for years to enhance both campus and community safety. Every UCM Public Safety officer already carries a Warrensburg Police Reserve Officer commission with citywide jurisdiction, and WPD officers can be sworn in by the university to carry full law enforcement authority on UCM property outside city limits, including the UCM Farms, Skyhaven Airport and Pertle Springs. 

The new arrangement puts that cooperation on a fixed nightly schedule rather than case-by-case mutual aid. It works the same way UCM already brings in outside officers to help staff football games and other campus events as extra coverage for a specific need, coordinated among agencies that often work together.

 

"This is coverage we've built together over a long time. We're just putting a name and a schedule to it," said Chief Bill Brinkley, UCM's director of Public Safety. "Warrensburg PD has been in this with us the whole way. This gives us the same kind of backup overnight that we've always leaned on for football Saturdays, just built into the calendar instead of arranged one event at a time."

Two WPD officers will patrol campus each night from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., and may work events such as football games as needed. If WPD cannot fill an overtime shift, UCM DPS officers cover it directly to maintain campus coverage. WPD officers handle initial reports overnight; UCM DPS takes each case the next morning for investigation and follow-up, including Clery Act tracking and Title IX review. WPD officers working on campus have a dedicated workstation inside the UCM Public Safety building with access to the city's network.

UCM students, employees and campus offices should continue to contact Public Safety dispatch at 660-543-4123 for support when needed. For emergencies, call 911.

 

"The Warrensburg Police Department is honored to assist the University of Central Missouri in our shared commitment to keeping its students, faculty, staff and the entire Warrensburg community safe,” Warrensburg Police Chief Andy Munsterman said. “We have a longstanding and valued partnership with UCM Public Safety, and that relationship has always been built on mutual support and cooperation. When our departments work together toward the same goal of protecting and serving our community, Warrensburg is a safer and stronger place for everyone." 

"Ensuring 24/7 coverage across our campus requires teamwork at every level,” Brinkley added. “Thanks to the support of university leadership and Chief Munsterman, we have established a seamless solution that maintains complete campus safety while we actively rebuild our sworn officer ranks."

UCM DPS currently has several sworn officer vacancies and is actively recruiting POST-certified lateral officers. Three recruits are enrolled in the Central Missouri Police Academy, with more being sponsored for the January 2027 class. The agreement is designed to maintain steady overnight coverage while hiring continues.