Safety and Security of the campus is the primary responsibility of the University Police. Certain situations may require the use of specially trained police units. These units often are referred to as "Emergency Response Units" or "Tactical Units" consisting of personnel trained in hostage recovery and high-risk entry. When the UMBC Police respond to a situation that requires the use of such a unit, the supervisor on the scene will notify the dispatcher to call 911 and request assistance from the Baltimore County Police Department. Baltimore County’s protocol requires that the area post patrol car respond along with a supervisor. An evaluation will be done in conjunction with the UMBC Police Officer in Charge to determine if additional resources are required to resolve the situation. The UMBC Police Chief or designee will be notified. If a special unit responds, the unit commander will be in charge of the unit’s activities on site. Decisions on tactics available and used would be made after consultation between the UMBC Chief of Police, d the Commander of the Special Unit.

The Baltimore County Police Department in conjunction with the UMBC Police Department will conduct a follow-up investigation resulting from the use of the tactical unit. At the conclusion of the incident the CMT will meet to assess the impact the incident had on the campus culture and facilities. The CMT will identify necessary resources and actions needed to return the University to conditions suitable for academic advancement.

Emergency conditions requiring equipment and personnel resources from allied state and county emergency response units will be coordinated through the UMBC Police Department. The Chief of Police or a designee will be the situation coordinator for their response to campus.

The UMBC Police Department will coordinate with the Baltimore County Police and Fire Departments all responses to the campus for emergency conditions. All requests for emergency services on campus should be made to the UMBC Police Department at ext. 55555. The Department coordinates with the Baltimore County 911 system for a coordinated response of police and fire services from Baltimore County. If a 911 call is made from a campus telephone, the 911 operator will call the UMBC Police Department on ext. 55555.

A Memorandum of Understanding is in place between the Maryland State Police and the Baltimore County Police outlining responsibility for assisting the UMBC Police Department. The agreement calls for the county police to respond to all short-term emergencies. The MSP will respond to all planned events requiring extra police support from outside the University System of Maryland.