Services

Safety/crime alerts

The Appalachian Police Department posts Crime Alerts on campus when serious incidents occur. The Crime Alerts inform the Appalachian community as to the nature of the crime and description of suspects. Alerts also provide instructions on how to prevent or report crime. Learn more

Victims' Assistance Program

The Appalachian Police Department, Health Services, Student Development, Counseling and Psychological Services Center and other offices offer assistance to victims of crime on the basis of their specific needs and requests for information. Professional counselors are not required to notify the police of crimes reported to them except where required by law.

The Appalachian Police Department is also responsible for ensuring that crime victims who meet the criteria outlined in Article 45A of N.C., General Statute Chapter 15A, are properly notified of the following:

  • Availability of medical services
  • Crime victims’ compensation funds
  • Address and telephone number of the district attorney’s office
  • Name and telephone number of the investigating officer
  • Information about the accused’s opportunity for pretrial release (after being arrested)
  • Name and telephone number of the officer whom the victim may contact to find out whether the accused has been released from custody
  • The arrest of the perpetrator (within 72 hours of arrest)
North Carolina Sex Offender Registry

North Carolina law requires that sex offenders register with the sheriff of the county in which they live if they are North Carolina residents. The law also requires non-resident students or non-resident workers to register with the sheriff of the county in which they work or attend school. Learn more

Emergency (“Blue Light”) telephones

For your safety, there are over 70 emergency blue light telephones located across the campus. These phones only require one button to be pushed and the call will ring directly into the Appalachian Police Telecommunications Center. The blue light phone system automatically identifies the caller's location so the telecommunicator can quickly dispatch an officer to assist the caller. Learn more

Non-emergency medical transports

The Appalachian Police Department (APD) will provide on-campus transportation for injured students to the Health Services Infirmary (Miles Annas Building) for non-emergencies when officers are available. We will also provide transportation for employee Workers' Compensation injuries, both to and from Boone Urgent Care, when officers are available. Learn more

Vehicle Assistance

If you have locked your keys in your vehicle, Appalachian Police can either assist you directly or call a locksmith. Appalachian Police will not attempt to unlock any vehicle with side airbags. If you think you have a dead battery, the Parking and Traffic Department can assist you at 262-2878.

Bicycle registration

The Appalachian Police Department offers a bicycle registration program for all Appalachian students, faculty and staff. All riders are encouraged to register their bicycles as a deterrent to crime and to promote safety. There is NO CHARGE for this service. All registration information is stored electronically for future reference. You may register your bicycle online by clicking on this link: Online Bicycle Registration. You may also contact any of our bicycle officers for a registration form or stop by the Appalachian Police Department.

Lost and Found

The Appalachian Police Department is a place for individuals to turn in or claim lost and found items. Please contact us if you need assistance with any lost and found article.

Investigations

The Appalachian Police Department has investigators on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you are a victim of a crime on campus, immediately call the Appalachian Police Department so the incident can be investigated and a report filed. If a crime is not reported right away, valuable evidence can be destroyed or lost. Call 8000 from any campus landline phone, 828-262-8000 from any other phone or come by our offices in the Rivers Street Parking Deck.

Coffee with a CopCoffee with a Cop

Coffee with a Cop provides an opportunity for the community to ask questions and learn more about the Appalachian Police Department's work on campus outside the scope of typical police calls. The majority of contact officers may often have with the public happens during emergencies or emotional situations. These situations are not always effective for building community relationships because of the hightened stress and pressure for all parties involved. Coffee with a Cop provides Appalachian community members and our officers with a more relaxed space to interact, learn more about each other and build important relationships that support Appalachian Police Department's philosophy of community-oriented policing. 

Ride-Along Program

Our Ride-Along program offers the opportunity for students to learn about the day-to-day operations of the Appalachian Police Department. Participants are allowed to ride along with an officer as they answer police calls on campus. A signed agreement by the participant for confidentiality and liability purposes must be completed, as well as prior written approval from the Patrol Commander. Please contact our office to request further information.

Internships

Internship positions are available at the Appalachian Police Department for qualified students in criminal justice. During the semester, students will have the opportunity to work with all areas of our department while earning academic credit hours. Interns experience the role of a police officer first-hand, and are also introduced to various layers of law enforcement practice, administration, and training. Contact our patrol commander for more information about the Internship program. Please note that internships are not the same as participation in the Appalachian Police Officer Development Program (APDP), a separate program designed to train students to become sworn, police officers in North Carolina.

Work-Study Students

The Appalachian Police Department welcomes the opportunity to have work-study students work in our reception area to welcome visitors and answer questions and to help with office projects, while offering the flexibility to schedule hours around student class schedules. Students must sign a confidentiality agreement and will be supervised by a support services manager. Please contact the Office of Student Employment for more information.