Over the past two years, the Faulkner Police Department has implemented several significant security enhancements designed to strengthen campus safety, improve visibility, and expand technological capability.
One of the most impactful improvements is that the department is now fully staffed with 12 sworn officers and one non-sworn, but certified security officer, an important milestone for the university and the first time in recent years that we have reached full staffing. Collectively, these officers represent over 330 years of law enforcement experience. This depth of experience greatly enhances our ability to prevent incidents, respond quickly and support the campus community with strong professional expertise. Being full staff is particularly beneficial during evening shifts, where multiple officers patrol simultaneously, ensuring comprehensive campus‑wide coverage.
Officers who have been hired, bring a wide range of experience from municipal police departments, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), various Sheriff offices, university law enforcement agencies, airport police departments and military service.
The investigator position is new as of 2025. By elevating and filling this role, we now have a dedicated officer managing case follow‑ups, gathering evidence, coordinating with external agencies and identifying trends that may affect the campus. This dedicated focus allows cases to be resolved more efficiently and strengthens our long‑term crime‑prevention strategies. The Campus Investigator has also worked closely with our Admissions Office to quickly identify and prevent dozens of attempted admissions‑fraud cases, safeguarding university resources.
Perhaps most notably, the department has placed a stronger emphasis on professionalism and law-enforcement best-practices training across all ranks. Recent accomplishments include:
· Sgt. Booth James completed his third and final FBI-sponsored leadership course, earning the prestigious LEEDA “Trilogy” Award, a nationally recognized benchmark of professional excellence in supervisory, command and executive leadership training.
· Sgt. James Darden earned his Master of Justice Administration degree and subsequently completed advanced training as a certified pistol armorer for both Sig Sauer and Glock platforms, enhancing the department’s in‑house weapons maintenance and readiness capabilities.
· Inv. Burr completed coursework in modern search-warrant procedures and attended the MCJEA Criminal Justice Investigator Seminar at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
· As part of the department’s commitment to combating substance-abuse challenges affecting young people, Faulkner sponsored multiple officers to attend the 2026 Alabama Substance Abuse Youth Summit (SAYS), where current drug-use trends and preventative strategies were discussed.
· Following a lead-by-example philosophy, Faulkner Police Chief Brian Champlin attended the 2026 Alabama Chiefs of Police Winter Conference, received training in internal-affairs investigative best practices through the Alabama Community College law enforcement network and attended the 2026 Alabama Collegiate Chiefs of Police Annual Summit at Jacksonville State University.
The department would be remiss not to highlight the tremendous contributions of our Campus Safety and Police Department Secretary, Evelyn Hamby. She is often the first point of contact for students, parents, faculty and staff, providing a steady, caring presence within the department. Hamby has streamlined several important processes for our campus community, including parking-decal issuance, incident-report acquisitions and general administrative support. She embodies community-policing principles through her daily actions, modeling a ministry-minded approach to service. Whether it’s staying late to assist a student, offering a listening ear or sending proactive reminder emails about parking compliance so students avoid unnecessary stress, Hamby continually demonstrates compassion and dedication.
Another major focus has been on expanding and modernizing security technology. The university continues to add upgraded security cameras equipped with unique AI-enhanced alert features and extended high-definition video storage. The new camera systems can automatically identify potential concerns or unusual activity, helping officers detect issues more quickly. Additionally, the department is moving forward with plans to retrofit several facilities that still rely on mechanical keys with electronic card access controls.
The department has also enhanced its vehicle fleet. After decommissioning an older patrol vehicle, two identical Jeep models were added—bringing the total to three matching units. This uniform fleet increases visibility, improves patrol presence and creates a more recognizable and consistent official police appearance across campus. Additionally, the department added top-tier low‑speed vehicle with law enforcement markings, similar to a golf cart, to conserve and reduce fuel while better navigating walking paths and green spaces for patrol and rapid response.
Another notable improvement was the completion of a new fence along the Atlanta Highway corridor last year. This upgrade not only enhances the visual appeal of the campus perimeter but also serves as an important physical barrier, helping prevent unauthorized access to certain areas, particularly around the women’s Harris Dorms. It creates clearly defined and monitored access points, directing both pedestrian and vehicle traffic through secure, observable areas. Faulkner also recently received over $500,000 in additional grant funding to begin Phase 2 fencing, which will continue near the Law School and extend behind campus to Wares Ferry Road and along the baseball field areas. Phase 3 fencing has already been applied for and focuses on the College of Health Science campus.
Faulkner’s internal grant team has been highly effective in working with outside partners—most notably FEMA and ALEA—to obtain and manage the resources needed for these improvements. Through these partnerships, the university has secured funding not only for significant camera and access control upgrades across several primary facilities that directly impact student quality of life, but also for perimeter fencing and future technology expansions at the Multiplex facility.
Finally, campus police have strengthened communication channels with neighboring partners. The department now maintains a direct line of communication with nearby security teams, including the Alabama Christian Academy campus and the University Church of Christ. This collaboration helps ensure faster information sharing, coordinated responses and a stronger overall safety network for the surrounding community. The Faulkner University Police Department is a member of the Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police and the Alabama Peace Officers’ Association. The department also regularly meets with leadership from law enforcement agencies throughout Central Alabama to share information, coordinate efforts, and enhance regional collaboration.
