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CAMPUS POLICE

NCJ Number
55334
Journal
MPI MUNICIPAL POLICE Dated: (MARCH 1979) Pages: 9-13
Author(s)
L MARSHAK
Date Published
1979
Length
5 pages
Annotation
PROFILES OF CAMPUS POLICE STRUCTURES AND OPERATIONS ARE DESCRIBED FOR VARIOUS COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN MASSACHUSETTS.
Abstract
THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROFESSIONALIZATION OF CAMPUS POLICE FORCES HAS INCREASED IN RECENT YEARS DUE TO TAX-RELATED CUTBACKS IN MUNICIPAL POLICE MANPOWER, WHICH NOT ONLY MADE IT SENSIBLE FOR COLLEGES TO TAKE MORE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN SECURITY, BUT HELPED CREATE A SURPLUS OF BOTH NEW GRADUATES AND EXPERIENCED OFFICERS SEEKING A LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER. CAMPUS CHIEFS, MOST OF WHOM HAVE MUNICIPAL OR STATE POLICE BACKGROUNDS, FEEL THAT THEIR JOBS ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE OF MUNICIPAL POLICE, WITH DIFFERENCES BEING DUE MOSTLY TO THE CHARACTER OF JURISDICTIONS SERVED. PROFILES OF THE DEVELOPMENT, STRUCTURE, TRAINING, AND OPERATIONS ARE PRESENTED FOR THE CAMPUS POLICE OF THE FOLLOWING COLLEGES IN MASSACHUSETTS: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY, BENTLEY COLLEGE, SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS UNIVERSITY, AND TUFTS UNIVERSITY-GRAFTON CAMPUS. WHILE OPERATIONS AT EACH CAMPUS HAVE DEVELOPED IN RESPONSE TO UNIQUE CONDITIONS PRESENT IN EACH JURISDICTION, CERTAIN OPERATIONAL THRUSTS ARE GENERALLY PRESENT IN ALL THE CAMPUS FORCES DESCRIBED. RECRUIT AND INSERVICE TRAINING NORMALLY PRESCRIBED FOR MUNICIPAL POLICE IS REQUIRED FOR CAMPUS POLICE. EMPHASIS IS ALSO GIVEN TO EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES, WITH CAMPUS AMBULANCES MANNED BY POLICE ON SOME CAMPUSES. THE IMAGE CAMPUS POLICE SEEK TO PROJECT TO THE STUDENTS IS THAT OF SERVANTS AND PROTECTORS. PRINCIPAL CRIMES AGAINST STUDENTS ARE LARCENY, AUTOTHEFT, AND BIKE-THEFT. PREVENTION EFFORTS ARE EMPHASIZED IN PERSONAL CONTACTS WITH STUDENTS, GENERAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS, AND CIRCULATION OF CRIME PREVENTION PAMPHLETS. COOPERATION BETWEEN CAMPUS AND MUNICIPAL POLICE IS GENERALLY EMPHASIZED. (RCB)