NCJ Number
54378
Date Published
1976
Length
310 pages
Annotation
A PROFILE OF CAMPUS POLICE AND SECURITY DEPARTMENTS AT 4-YEAR COLLEGES IN ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MICHIGAN, AND OHIO IS PRESENTED.
Abstract
THE PROFILE IS BASED ON A QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY OF 251 INSTITUTIONS (91 RESPONSES) AND COVERS VARIABLES RELATED TO ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE, RESOURCES, AND ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS. OF THE 91 RESPONDING INSTITUTIONS, 55 HAD CAMPUS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND 36 DID NOT. THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH CAMPUS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AT LARGE AND/OR PUBLIC COLLEGES: LARGER SIZE; YOUNGER AND BETTER EDUCATED OFFICERS; MORE FEMALE OFFICERS; HIGHER SALARIES, BETTER EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS, AND MORE EXTENSIVE TRAINING FOR OFFICERS; MORE OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALISTS; AND EXTENSIVE INTERACTION WITH STUDENTS, INSTITUTIONAL STAFF, AND MUNICIPAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. CAMPUS POLICE AGENCIES AT SMALL AND/OR PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS SHARED THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS: SMALLER SIZE; OLDER OFFICERS; LOWER SALARIES FOR OFFICERS; FEWER FEMALE OFFICERS AND OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALISTS; LITTLE EQUIPMENT; LITTLE OR NO TRAINING FOR OFFICERS; AND LESS INVOLVEMENT WITH STUDENTS. THE SURVEY FINDINGS INDICATE THAT AGENCIES AT PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS MIGHT BE ABLE TO DISPEL MAJOR STUDENT DISRUPTIONS, BUT THAT THE ABILITY OF PRIVATE COLLEGES TO HANDLE SUCH SITUATIONS IS QUESTIONABLE. PROGRESS IN PROFESSIONALIZING CAMPUS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IS CITED, AS IS THE EXTENSIVE USE OF INHOUSE TRAINING PROGRAMS BY MANY AGENCIES. SUCH PROGRAMS ARE SAID TO REFLECT A RECOGNITION OF THE SPECIAL SKILLS REQUIRED OF OFFICERS WORKING ON CAMPUSES. THE POSSIBILITY THAT PUBLIC RELATIONS AND CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS CONDUCTED BY SOME AGENCIES MAY ALLEVIATE ANTILAW ENFORCEMENT ATTITUDES ON THE PART OF STUDENTS IS RAISED. A LITERATURE REVIEW, SUPPORTING DATA AND DOCUMENTATION (INCLUDING A LIST OF PARTICIPATING COLLEGES), SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH, A BIBLIOGRAPHY, AND A COPY OF THE SURVEY INSTRUMENT ARE INCLUDED. (LKM)