NCJ Number
162441
Journal
Campus Law Enforcement Journal Volume: 26 Issue: 2 Dated: (March/April 1996) Pages: 16-17,20,34-36
Date Published
1996
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article traces the evolution of the scope of campus police work and authority from its beginning at Yale University in the 1800's to the current full-service university police departments.
Abstract
The scope of campus police work has evolved from that of "watchmen" for college buildings and facilities to the hiring and training of officers who have the responsibility and authority to deal with all crime and public safety issues pertinent to the area covered by a college campus. This evolution has occurred largely in response to the nature of challenges to the safety of students and faculty as well as property on college campuses. It has become historically apparent that many new challenges for universities developed over the years, and college administrators can no longer view a campus as a safe haven or sanctuary, where teaching occurs with minimal personal danger to students and staff. With the influx of campus crimes, riots, and deaths, the campus security "watchmen" concept was no longer effective, nor could it meet the needs of the universities. The contemporary university police departments of the 1990's are constantly receiving new demands for police protection and services. A primary thrust in college police work is cooperation between campus police and students. Student participation in campus safety programs include student escort patrol services, parking patrol, library patrol, and resident auxiliary patrol service. Cooperative efforts that involve campus police, college administrators, faculty, staff, and the students characterize the public safety enterprise on most college campuses today.