P: 800-368-3227 E: universitypolice@vuu.edu
*For Student ID request please schedule a Campus Appointment.
On behalf Virgina Union University (VUU), and of the dedicated professionals of the Virginia Union University Police Department, it is our pleasure to welcome you to the University Police home page. The Virginia Union University Police are committed to providing a safe and secure learning environment for students, faculty, employees and visitors. The safety and comfort of our students, faculty, staff and visitors are our principal priority. We are committed to developing collaborative relationships for the enhancement of our entire university community, as safety and security is everyone’s mission. Community partnering is principal to the academic success of our students.
The Virginia Union University Police Department embraces the principles of collaboration and community policing with academic, administrative and urban organizations through; (1) protection of life and property, (2) crime and fire prevention and lastly (3) parking and traffic system safety.
The Virginia Union University Police Department stands ready to serve the needs of the University community. If you need assistance, please let us know. We will do our very best to provide you with the service that you would expect from a professional law enforcement agency.
University Police can be contacted at (804) 257-5777
University Police Department
1500 N. Lombardy Street
Pickford Hall, G-7
Richmond, Virginia 23220
Title IX
VUU University Police Parking Policy
POLICY: All faculty, staff, and students wishing to use parking facilities operated by the University or any property owned or leased by Virginia Union University, must register their vehicle with the Police Department and, while parked, properly display an authorized parking permit.
ELIGIBILITY: On-campus freshmen are not allowed to have vehicles on campus. Any student (undergraduate, graduate, continuing education, part-time, full-time, or adjunct) with at least 30 approved credits completed (excluding commuters) is eligible for campus parking privileges, unless privileges have been revoked.To report crimes that are occurring or any crime related concern around campus, fill out a Student Statement Form.
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VUU Campus Police Staff
Robby Cottrell,
Chief of Police
recottrell@vuu.edu
Chief Cottrell has over 25 years of experience and began his law enforcement career serving with Virginia Union University from 1994 - 1996. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy session #269 and the University of Richmond’s Professional Executive Leadership School 37th session. He received his Criminal Justice degree from Columbia Southern University and his Criminal Justice Education Certificate from the University of Virginia.
From 1996 – 1999, He served with the Charles City and New Kent Sheriff’s Offices. He was a D.A.R.E. Instructor and enjoyed working with youth in the community.
From 1999 – 2012 he served as Deputy Chief of Police and Captain with the West Point Police Department. During his tenure with West Point he led several community outreach programs including the Law Enforcement Challenge. He coordinated the program for over 10 years. Accolades while leading this program include the “Clay J. Hall Award” for the best overall traffic safety program in the nation. The first department to receive the VACP President’s award for excellence in highway safety. The department consistently placed first in the state of Virginia for ten consecutive years and also won five additional national awards.
Cottrell received the Guardian Award “Law Enforcement Officer of the Year” from the Hampton Roads Daily Press in 2002 & 2004. He is a four-time recipient of the M.A.D.D. Award (Mothers against Drunk Driving) for making the highest D.U.I. arrests in the area in which he served. He received several other commendations during his career including the Meritorious Duty Award in 2003.
He later joined the Capital Region Airport Commission serving as a shift commander for the Richmond Airport Police Department. Cottrell retired after 25 years of service in 2018 but returned to Virginia Union University in 2020 as the Deputy Chief of Police Major.
In November 2021 he was named Chief of Police / Director of Public Safety.