With more than 33,000 students and over 400 acres, the University of Texas at Arlington campus operates much like its own city.

About 10,000 students live on or within five miles of campus, and a steady stream of speakers, entertainers and musicians regularly visit UTA. Sso, the university's police department is kept busy year-round.

Because the school is such a force in the community, the police departments for the City of Arlington and UTA have developed a mutually beneficial relationship.

The two agencies work together to accomplish a similar mission: to make sure things move smoothly and safely for both residents and college students.

" We feel very comfortable knowing that we can pick up the phone 24/7 and help one another," said Arlington Police Lt. Mike Holguin, who works as a liaison with UTA.

From jointly working criminal cases to controlling traffic at Arlington's annual Fourth of July parade and events at the Levitt Pavilion and College Park, the two law enforcement groups stay in close contact.

For instance, Holguin said they worked together on traffic management and filling shifts during the recent railroad crossing closures.

They also track thefts that affect both the campus and the City and, through a reciprocal agreement, may work as two-man units if there's a spike in violent crime.

" From the time the crime is reported to the end, we are working in a more cohesive manner than ever before," said UTA Police Department Capt. Jay Tillerson.

For example, investigators found that a string of bicycle thefts at UTA were linked to some Arlington Police cases of lawnmower and yard equipment thefts.

" The suspects don't know any boundaries," said Holguin. " There have been examples of people committing crimes on campus and then moving out into the City. We operate as one law enforcement entity when it comes to tracking known offenders and keeping an eye on trends."

Officers from both agencies also worked in tandem last year when a string of assaults and iPhone thefts cropped up on campus.

Arlington and UTA Police join in everything from formal planning sessions to informal phone calls or occasional lunches.

The two crime analysis teams routinely collaborate, and APD officials also work to help the school when needed on issues like bomb threats, crisis events on campus, lockdowns or other emergency operations.

" Our cooperation has just taken off, and we really want to cultivate that spirit of communication," Holguin said. " It's about reaching out to one another."

One more link between the two groups will be forged in July when APD Deputy Police Chief Kim Lemaux takes over the force's top position as the new UTA police chief.

Lemaux will lead a police department of 118, which includes sworn officers, guards, police communications and emergency management staff. She will oversee a $6.7-million annual budget.

" Some incidents nationally have fostered our relationship, and there have been some major crime scenes that we've worked together," Tillerson said. " It's just seamless."