U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

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
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)

Downloads

No download available