NCJ Number
190457
Journal
Campus Law Enforcement Journal Volume: 31 Issue: 4 Dated: July/August 2001 Pages: 15-17
Date Published
July 2001
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article considers arguments for and against allowing campus police officers to carry guns.
Abstract
The major arguments for arming campus police have been the professionalization of the campus service, police efficiency, police liability, officer safety, and violent campus incidents. In addition, 91 percent of institutions with student populations of more than 15,000 have campus agencies with full police powers. Rationales against arming campus police usually involve low campus crime rates, concern for gun proliferation, culture of academic freedom, preference for a non-repressive approach to policing, and legitimacy of campus security. The article concludes that campus police firearm policy should be made on the basis of a full understanding of arguments both for and against arming the police. The decision should be made in the open and in consultation with all parties involved. Finally, the decision ultimately depends on the interplay of three levels of perspective: personal values, academic culture, and professional preferences. These three perspectives may lead to disagreements and conflicts, and the article suggests middle grounds and compromises. These may include mutual aid agreements between campus and municipal police and limited arming of campus police during certain shifts or hours or in clearly defined dangerous situations. References