NCJ Number
162440
Journal
Campus Law Enforcement Journal Volume: 26 Issue: 2 Dated: (March/April 1996) Pages: 10-11
Editor(s)
P J Berry
Date Published
1996
Length
2 pages
Annotation
In connection with efforts to counter persistent attempts to change Massachusetts law to curtail the authority of campus police, this article presents the position statement of the Massachusetts Association of College and University Public Safety Directors with respect to college and university police authority.
Abstract
Under current Massachusetts law, campus police are empowered to investigate "any criminal offense committed in or upon lands or structures owned, used, or occupied by (the) ... institution." Some State and local officials and organizations believe this law should be repealed, or campus police authority should at least be reduced in some fashion. Legislation toward this end has been introduced often over the past several years, thus far without success. In an effort to address the misunderstandings that underlie the efforts to curtail campus police authority, the Massachusetts Association of College and University Public Safety Directors developed a forum to meet with representatives from the agencies and organizations that support the reduction in campus police authority, namely, municipal and State police forces. The plan is to use the forum to address their concerns and explain why campus police need their current authority. Part of the preparation for the forum was the development of a position statement with respect to college and university police authority. This article contains this statement. It states the Association's support for current Massachusetts law with respect to campus police authority and advocates close working relationships, both formal and informal, with local and State public safety officials. It further states that the current campus police authority is necessary for the safety of campus communities and that advances in training, hiring standards, and experience ensure the responsible and competent exercise of such authority. The statement ensures that campus police will not be encouraged nor assigned to work overtime details off campus. Cooperative arrangements for mutual aid between campus and local public safety agencies are encouraged.