Officers derive their authority promulgated from the Board of Trustees of the University of Massachusetts. As set forth in Massachusetts General Law: “The (University) trustees may appoint as police officers persons in the employ of the University who in the enforcement of said rules and regulations and throughout University property shall have the powers of police officers, except as to service of civil process.” (MGL Ch. 75, Sec.32A) Therefore, our officers possess the power and authority to apprehend and arrest anyone involved in illegal acts on campus.
In addition, UMass Lowell Police Officers are fully sworn in as Middlesex County Deputy Sheriffs. This allows officers to perform police duties on the public ways of the county.
Therefore, the officers of the UMass Lowell Police Department have the ability to act both on and off campus within the City of Lowell as well as all of Middlesex County, if there should ever be a need to assist another police agency. Officers also have the authority to issue motor vehicle citations for motor vehicle infractions as well as the authority to enforce Massachusetts General Laws both on and off the campus.