Silhouette of student reading at a table at the end of a hallway.

Welfare Check

Welfare Check

The safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff are our top priorities. The UC Davis Police Department offers welfare checks as a proactive measure to help ensure the mental and physical well-being of individuals in our campus community.

What is a welfare check?

A welfare check, also known as a wellness check, is a service provided by the UC Davis Police Department to assess the safety and well-being of individuals who may be in distress or at risk. During a welfare check, trained officers will visit the specified location to ensure that the individual is safe and provide help, if needed. This could include checking on someone who has not been seen or heard from in a while, someone who may be displaying concerning behavior or someone who has expressed thoughts of self-harm. Depending on the situation, our team has CORE officers who may respond wearing informal uniforms such as polo shirts, or officers in full uniform. 

When to request a welfare check

There are several situations in which you may consider requesting a welfare check for yourself or someone else:

  • Concern for well-being
    If you are concerned about the well-being of a friend, roommate or colleague and have been unable to reach them for an extended period, a welfare check can provide peace of mind and ensure their safety.

  • Behavioral changes
    If you notice significant changes in someone's behavior that raise concerns about their mental or emotional state, it may be appropriate to request a welfare check to ensure they receive the support they need.

  • Expressed concerns
    If someone has expressed thoughts of self-harm, suicide or harming others, it is crucial to take their words seriously and seek help immediately. A welfare check can be a vital intervention in such situations.

  • Unusual circumstances
    Any unusual circumstances or incidents that give rise to concern for someone's safety or well-being warrant consideration for a welfare check. Trust your instincts and err on the side of caution.

Contact the Police Department

Call 911 for emergencies.

  • Davis

  • Emergency
    911 or 530-752-1230

    24-Hour Non-Emergency
    530-752-1727

    625 Kleiber Hall Drive
    Directions

  • Sacramento

  • Emergency
    911 or 916-734-2555

    24-Hour Non-Emergency
    916-734-2555

    4200 V Street

  • Email

  • Non-Emergency only

    police.web@ucdavis.edu

    Note: For background checks, report copies, and subpoenas, please contact the Records Unit directly at 530-752-6823.

Health 34 staff smiling and stepping out of bright red van branded with the Health 34 logo.

Health 34
How to request a welfare check

Requesting a welfare check is a straightforward process designed to ensure prompt assistance when needed. If you believe that a welfare check is warranted, follow these steps:

  1. Who to contact
    To request a welfare check, contact the UC Davis Police Department.  

    • Davis campus 24-hour non-emergency: 530-752-1727

    • Sacramento campus 24-hour non-emergency: 916-734-2555

    In non-emergency situations on campus, an alternative to campus police could be calling the UC Davis Fire Department’s mobile mental health response team, Health 34. The Health 34 team can be contacted 24/7 by calling: (530) 754-3434. 

    For students who are living on campus, welfare checks can also be requested through Student Housing. 

    For all life-threatening emergency, dial 911. 

  2. Provide details
    When contacting us, provide as much information as possible about the individual in question, including their name, physical description, last known location and any relevant circumstances or concerns that prompted your request for a welfare check. The more information you provide, the better equipped our officers will be to conduct an effective check.

  3. Remain available
    After you've made the request, remain available to answer any follow-up questions from personnel who respond. Prompt communication can help expedite the process and ensure that we address the situation as quickly as possible.

  4. Trust our expertise
    Our campus police officers and CORE team are trained to handle welfare checks with professionalism, empathy and discretion. Rest assured that your concerns will be taken seriously, and we will prioritize the safety and well-being of everyone involved.  

Please note: The law states that if a police officer has reasonable belief that someone inside a residence needs aid, or that there is an imminent threat to the life or welfare of someone inside a residence, the police can make an entry without a warrant. 

Follow-up after a welfare check

If you call for a friend, and the officers find the person injured, sick or incapacitated, they will provide medical assistance immediately and/or call for medical aid and transport. If appropriate, the UC Davis Police Department may contact you to come to the scene or they may ask for you to provide follow-up information, as needed. 

If you call for a friend, and the police find that the person is in good health, you will be notified of that person's safety.

Welfare checks are a valuable resource for promoting a safe and supportive campus community. Whether you're concerned about a friend, roommate, colleague or even yourself, don't hesitate to reach out to the UC Davis Police Department for assistance. By working together, we can help ensure that all members of our community receive the care and support they need to thrive.