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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhat type of training do University Police Officers get?
My experience with ours is not much. Most of the ones I have dealt with are pretty quick to anger and have huge chips on their shoulders. This is just my experience with the ones on our campus but I don't understand why they are needed. Why not let the city they are located in police the campus?
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)Where I went to school, so many years ago, the campus cops were fully trained and were deputized by the local sheriff. I think some places, though, use less-trained people.
backscatter712
(26,355 posts)Some campuses have poorly trained rentacops.
My alma-mater has its own actual police department, with sworn law-enforcement officers.
Iggo
(47,489 posts)You know, just like regular cops!
MANative
(4,105 posts)My husband spent a few years as a campus police officer before moving to a municipal force, and was required to do exactly the same training as the State Police, including all refresher programs. Even took FBI fraud investigation courses and Secret Service training on handling explosives. He was classified as a State Police Officer, assigned to a campus location, and was paid by the university. That was in MA. In CT, the requirements, as of a couple of years ago, were less stringent. Some states also allow a two-tier approach where there are sworn police officers working alongside security guards.
Gidney N Cloyd
(19,781 posts)Lurks Often
(5,455 posts)Some are fully sworn police officers who go through the same or a similar police academy to those in the city police departments. Same training, same standards as city or town police.
Some are closer to armed security guards with limited arrest powers. Not sure what the training is for those with limited arrest powers.
I'm guessing in most cases the University doesn't want the local police patrolling the campus and that the local police would rather not patrol the campuses.
Runningdawg
(4,496 posts)Campus security is there for one reason only. Mommy and Daddy Alumni don't give endowments to universities who hand their little trust fund darlings over to the police. What happens on campus STAYS on campus. As far as training? Think mall cop.
Sgent
(5,857 posts)for instance, Tulane University's (also private) campus police are a detail of the New Orleans Police Department, same training, same arrest powers, etc.
Lee-Lee
(6,324 posts)Here in NC they have to meet all the standards of any other sworn officer for initial training, background checks, and in service training annually.
I've talked to those in other states where it is far looser- like 19 year olds given a badge and gun before they even complete the basic academy.
cwydro
(51,308 posts)I can't seem to find a video that will play.
countryjake
(8,554 posts)philosslayer
(3,076 posts)Beyond that, not much.
redstatebluegirl
(12,264 posts)It varies, here in Oklahoma I have not seen a very well trained force. Their main job seems to be to keep the "mandated reported crimes" to a minimum, at least those that are reported. We had a scare a few years ago about a possible active shooter close to our building. It was a nightmare watching those guys go around like military convoys trying to find this person (it ended up being a false alarm).
I really feel that at least here, they should use the local police.