To Our Campus Community:

I know many of you have questions and concerns following the recent arrest of a student during a traffic stop on campus. I want to assure you I hear you. Transparency, accountability, and care for one another are core values in our community, and we remain committed to sharing accurate information.

Last Monday evening (Oct. 6), University police officers saw a car parked on Glenwood Avenue in a turning lane for about 40 minutes with hazard lights on. The car was running with no one inside. The officers learned the registered owner had a suspended license and spoke with the driver, who was not a student. Their goal was to avoid arresting him, and they gave him many opportunities to move the car. After getting into the car, the driver became verbally aggressive and refused multiple requests to cooperate. Officers told him dozens of times to get out of the car.

During the interaction, a UNCG student approached the car and, despite repeated warnings to step back, put her hand on an officer’s shoulder to separate him from the driver. After being told numerous times to back up, the student finally gave the officers room to eventually take the driver into custody. As is routinely done on campus, officers asked her to identify herself so they could refer her through the University conduct process. The student refused to provide that information until she received the officers’ badge numbers, which our department does not use. We do, however, have our names clearly visible on our uniforms. After multiple warnings, she tried to leave the scene and resisted officers’ efforts to detain her. Controlled force was used to safely restrain her.

Our police department has spent years building trust across our campus through consistent service, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to student safety. We know maintaining that trust requires openness and a continued willingness to listen and learn from our community. We ask everyone to be mindful that much of what appears on social media is incomplete, speculative, or simply false. A full review of the incident is underway to ensure our procedures align with our commitment to fairness, safety, and mutual respect.

Chris Jasso
Chief of Police
UNCG Police Department

Frequently Asked Questions

• Will the police officers involved be subject to disciplinary action?
  UNCG police acted in accordance with their responsibility to maintain a safe campus environment. As is our standard practice with any arrest, the University is reviewing the incident, including available reports and video, to ensure clarity and transparency and to assess any violations of policies, procedures, or state law.
• What is the process followed by UNCG in a professional standards investigation?
  Details about the UNCG Police Department Complaint Investigation and Administrative Review Process are available on the department’s website.
• What is the University doing to defend the student?
  We understand that this is an upsetting situation for all involved; however, legal matters must be handled in the courts. The University’s responsibility is to provide support to students, connect them with resources, and ensure that their rights are protected throughout the process.
• Do UNCG police officers have badge numbers?
  No, UNCG police officers do not have badge numbers; however, their names are clearly displayed on their outer vest.
• Are UNCG officers required to provide a Miranda warning during an arrest?
  Miranda rights apply only before officers begin a custodial interrogation. Without both “custody” and “interrogation” Miranda warnings are not applicable. Custody means a situation where a reasonable person would not feel free to leave. Interrogation refers to direct questioning. The individuals who were arrested were provided with Miranda warnings at the police department before they were questioned.
• What is the law on vehicle searches?
  Federal and state law provide that when officers have probable cause to search a vehicle for evidence of a crime and the vehicle is in a public place (that is, a place where the defendant does not have a reasonable expectation of privacy), they may seize the vehicle without a search warrant. The officers then may search it without a search warrant at the place where they seized it or may bring it to a law enforcement facility or other place and search it there without a warrant. Impounded vehicles are inventoried of all property in all areas of the vehicle that are in plain view or in unlocked containers to account for and protect the owner’s property while being towed.
• Will the arrested student face disciplinary action from the University?
  Any potential disciplinary matters are handled under our Code of Student Conduct and follow a separate process from the legal system. We do not discuss individual student cases publicly to protect privacy.
• What support is being offered to students?
  The Division of Student Affairs is in communication with the student involved in the incident. Student Affairs is available to provide counseling, guidance, and resources to any student as needed. We encourage students and families with questions or concerns to reach out directly.