Front of police headquarters

Keeping UA Safe — UAPD Employees Honored for Work

Some criminals are no longer on the streets of Tuscaloosa thanks to the work of a UA police investigator.

As a member of The University of Alabama Police Department’s criminal investigations division since 2013, Dr. Hunter Christian has led several priority investigations that have resulted in multiple felony arrests. For his work, Christian will receive Officer of the Year honors from the Exchange Club of Tuscaloosa later this month.

Photo of Hunter Christian
Investigator Hunter Christian

“Investigator Christian’s passion and commitment to the safety and security of our University community are second to none,” said UAPD Chief John Hooks. “Every day he brings a singular focus to the job that makes him extraordinarily successful. We’re lucky to have him on our team.”

Hooks said that during the past year Christian has resolved cases with little evidence available, identified potential threats, and greatly contributed to the overall safety of the campus.

“During an investigation, I love the challenges of figuring out what happened, and pursuing justice for the victim,” said Christian. “Getting to help victims is the most rewarding part of my job.”

In addition to his role as an investigator, Christian is a member of the Tuscaloosa Metro Special Response Team, the Human Trafficking Task Force, and the newly formed Mental Health Officer program in Tuscaloosa County.

Christian earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from UA and was a high school administrator before becoming a law enforcement officer.

“I love working at the University,” Christian said. “I get to work every day with students, faculty and staff, in an educational environment.  I’m still an educator at heart, I just get to do it from a different perspective now.”

Teshandria Diggins
Teshandria Diggins
Anthony Wiley
Anthony Wiley

In addition to Christian, UAPD is also recognizing two other officers for their outstanding work within the department and to the community.

Teshandria Diggins, who has worked with UAPD since 2015, is being recognized as the Police Communications Operator of the Year.

“No police department can be successful without a strong and adept group of police communicators in your corner, and Tesh Diggins epitomizes these qualities and more,” Hooks said. “She is a tremendous asset to our department and an example for others in her profession.”

Anthony Wiley is being recognized as the Security Resources Employee of the Year. “Anthony has been one of Public Safety’s most dedicated employees for more than 10 years,” Hooks said. “As both a team member and team leader in Security Resources, he has been a consistently positive influence on his team and in our community.”