CAMPUS POLICE - A STUDY OF EXISTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES AMONG THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITY AND RESULTANT IMPLICATIONS FOR POLICY DEVELOPMENT AT WEST CHESTER STATE COLLEGE - ...

• NCJ Number: 46371
• Author(s): L F WEISLOGEL
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 62 pages
• Sale Source: Eric Document Reproduction Service; National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: NOVA UNIVERSITY - PRACTICUM FOR DOCTORATE

Annotation

MISSION, STAFFING, TRAINING, EQUIPMENT, AND ORGANIZATION OF ALL PENNSYLVANIA STATE COLLEGE SECURITY FORCES ARE ASSESSED AND THE RESULTS USED TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICY DEVELOPMENT AT WEST CHESTER STATE COLLEGE.

Abstract

QUESTIONNARIES AND INTERVIEWS WERE USED TO GATHER DATA ON THE OPERATION OF CAMPUS SECURITY FORCES AT THE 14 STATE-OWNED COLLEGES. IT WAS FOUND THAT EIGHT SCHOOLS USED THE WORD 'SECURITY' IN THE TITLE OF THE ORGANIZATION WHILE SIX USED THE WORD 'SAFETY' AND FIVE THE WORDS 'LAW ENFORCEMENT.' THE WORDS 'POLICE' AND 'SERVICE' APPEARED ONLY ONCE IN OFFICIAL TITLES. THIS REFLECTS A COMMON SUSPICION OF POLICY-TYPE ACTIVITIES DATING FROM THE 1960'S. WHILE 13 OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRE INDICATED THAT SUCH AN EMPHASIS WAS APPROPRIATE, THE PROFESSIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL ON THE CAMPUS DISAGREED. MOST WANTED THE WORD 'POLICE OFFICER' OR 'LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER' IN THEIR TITLE. SEVENTY-ONE PERCENT OF THE AGENCIES REPORT DIRECTLY TO A VICE PRESIDENT, TWO ANSWER TO A VICE PRESIDENT THROUGH A DIRECTOR OR BUSINESS MANAGER AND ONE REPORTS DIRECTLY TO THE PRESIDENT. IN TWO SCHOOLS THE CAMPUS POLICE ARE IN THE STUDENT AFFAIRS DIVISION. ONE SCHOOL OPERATES ITS OWN DEPARTMENT ONLY IN THE DAYTIME, CONTRACTING WITH A COMMERCIAL SECURITY ORGANIZATION FOR NIGHT AND WEEKEND SERVICE. OTHERS USE COMMERCIAL SERVICES FOR SPECIAL ATHLETIC EVENTS AND DANCES. ALL AGREE THAT ADDITIONAL TRAINING AND ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT ARE NEEDED. MAJOR ISSUES IDENTIFIED WERE THE USE OF CONTRACT GUARDS, THE SMALL NUMBER OF BLACKS AND WOMEN EMPLOYED, THE USE OF STUDENT SECURITY, AND THE NEED FOR CLOSER COOPERATION WITH THE PENNSYLVANIA LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE WEST CHESTER SECURITY FORCE BE CALLED THE 'DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT,' THAT ITS MEMBERS BE CALLED 'PEACE OFFICERS,' AND THAT TRAINED OFFICERS BE PERMITTED TO CARRY FIREARMS. A COMMITTEE TO FORMULATE OPERATING POLICY, WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM ALL OF THE COLLEGES, IS SUGGESTED. AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYMENT POLICIES SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED. (GLR)