The Oxford University Police was founded as a result of an Act of Parliament in 1825.
After a policy review by the University Council in 2003, the University Police was disbanded when it was decided that it would be too expensive to bring the force up to the required standard of training and implement a multi-tiered complaints procedure.
The circa 40 members of the force were redesignated "Proctors Officers" and place under the University Marshal and Proctors and not swept into the university's department of Security Services.
According to the Chancellors' 2003 annual report, these members can still carry out 95% of the duties without constabulary powers.