Vanderbilt University Police Department operates a text message (SMS) alert system used to notify a defined group of command staff — chiefs, deputy chiefs, watch commanders, and other designated personnel — during active incidents, emergencies, and time-sensitive operational events.
This system is not used for marketing or promotional messaging, and it is not open for public sign-up. Messages are sent only to personnel who have been enrolled through the process described below.
Who receives these messages
Recipients are limited to sworn and civilian command staff formally designated by the Vanderbilt University Police Department to receive incident and emergency notifications as part of their role. This is a fixed, internally managed roster — it is not a public distribution list.
How consent is collected
When a staff member is designated to receive command-level alerts, the Special Operations & Intelligence Unit provides them with an enrollment form describing the program, the type of messages they will receive, and expected message frequency.
The staff member reviews and signs the enrollment form — physically or electronically — providing their mobile number and affirmatively consenting to receive SMS alerts at that number.
Signed enrollment forms are retained by Special Operations & Intelligence for the duration of the staff member's participation in the program.
A participant may opt out at any time by replying STOP to any message, or by notifying Special Operations & Intelligence directly to be removed from the roster.
Example message
VUPD ALERT: Shooting reported at 123 Main Street.
Additional information is available in MS Teams.
Reply STOP to opt out.
Message frequency & support
Varies by incident activity. Recipients may receive several messages during an active event and none for extended periods otherwise.
Program contacts
Vanderbilt University Police Department
vupd-soc@vanderbilt.edu
(615) 926-8173