Police Department
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave. Dept. 3124
1010 E. Ivinson
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: 307-766-5179
Email: uwpd@uwyo.edu
Upon completion of his undergraduate degree at the University of Wyoming, Sergeant Josh Holland joined the University of Wyoming Police Department as an officer in 2012.
In 2018, Chief Holland became an active shooter/threat response instructor through the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center’s (FLETC) Active Shooter Threat Instructor Program. Additionally in 2022, Chief Holland became certified to instruct Run, Hide, Fight response curriculum through the Louisiana State University’s National Center for Biomedical Research and Training/Academy of Counter-Terrorist Education (LSU NCBRT/ACE).
Chief Holland is certified and serves in other capacities and duties including:
Less Lethal Tools/Tactics Instructor, 2016 | ![]() |
Explosive Detection Canine Handler 2016-Present | |
FLETC Basic Tactical Medical Instructor, 2017 | |
Laramie Special Response Team, 2018-Present | |
Field Training Officer, 2019 | |
Sergeant Promotion, 2019 | |
FLETC Use of Force Instructor, 2022 |
Sgt. Woods came to Laramie in 2010 and wrestled for the University of Wyoming. He graduated in 2015 from the UW with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. Sgt. Woods joined the University of Wyoming Police Department in 2016.
After joining the UWPD, he has received various certificates as an instructor to include the Run. Hide. Fight. Instructor Course provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The 40-hour course emphasized tactics to survive an active threat.
Sgt. Woods has several other in-service certifications and duties including:
Field Training Officer Certification, 2018 | ![]() |
Gracie Survival Tactics Instructor, 2019 | |
WLEA Custody and Control Instructor, 2019 | |
Sergeant Promotion, 2021 | |
Wyoming Chemical Testing Senior Operator Instructor, 2021 | |
Laramie Special Response Team, 2021-Present | |
Federal Law Enforcement Academy Use of Force Instructor, 2022 |
Detective Vielhak joined the University of Wyoming Police Department in 2021, after previously serving at the Cheyenne Police Department. He is a UW graduate and earned his degree in Communication as well as Psychology. After starting in the patrol division, Det. Vielhak was assigned to the position of Detective in April 2022.
Since 2018, Det. Vielhak has attended many Active Shooter/Threat Instructor courses and specializes in instructing a variety of topics, including: Community Active Threat Response, Basic Tactics, and Law Enforcement Response to Active Threats. In 2021 Detective Vielhak earned a certification to instruct “Run, Hide, Fight,” a civilian active threat response curriculum though Louisiana State University’s National Center for Biomedical Research and Training/Academy of Counter-Terrorist Education (LSU NCBRT/ACE.)
Det. Vielhak has many other special assignments as well as certifications, including:
Laramie Special Response Team (SRT) | ![]() |
Crisis Intervention Team | |
UWYO C.A.R.E.S | |
Laramie Special Response Team, 2022-Present | |
Stop the Bleed / Basic Life-saving Measures |
*Reference the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers Curriculum: https://www.fletc.gov/training-program/active-shooter-threat-instructor-training-program
Police Department
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave. Dept. 3124
1010 E. Ivinson
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: 307-766-5179
Email: uwpd@uwyo.edu