The Department of Public Safety announced Tuesday that it will seek to commission up to 11 of its officers by the beginning of April to give them more law enforcement privileges.
Once commissioned, the officers will be able to use probable cause arrest, and stop and search people suspected of illegal activity on campus. Commissioned officers will not be allowed to carry firearms.
DPS Director Tom Fitzpatrick said the department has been planning to commission officers for some time to enhance the level of security on campus and give officers more options when dealing with possibly dangerous situations on campus.
ÒThe clear and obvious reason is we feel by doing this we provide a higher and better level of safety and service,Ó he said.
The move toward commissioning came not because of any specific campus events or student activities, Fitzpatrick said, but because of suspicious people unaffiliated with the campus who are difficult for his officers to detain.
ÒIn many cases we find ourselves in difficult positions waiting for [Eugene police officers] to arrive,Ó he said.
Currently DPS officers only have the ability to enforce University rules and make citizenÕs arrests.
Student Senate President Peter Watts and the Director of the Office of Student Advocacy Hilary Berkman criticized the department for not providing what they said were adequate opportunities for input in the decision to commission officers.ÒItÕs shocking to me that we wouldnÕt be contacted over a decision of this magnitude,Ó Watts said.
Berkman said the move could be the first step down a Òslippery slopeÓ that could lead to DPS officers carrying firearms. Fitzpatrick said he did not believe the process warranted any input from students or other campus members, because it did not involve any new laws.
ÒI think it was viewed as an administrative decision,Ó he said. ÒIt wasnÕt a new situation.Ó
Campus security forces are able to commission their officers under a state statute enacted in 1987. Oregon law, however, still prohibits campus security officers from carrying firearms.
Fitzpatrick said DPS will be hosting several public meetings to ensure that students have the right perceptions about the changes, but Ònot to seek their approval.Ó
DPS will also establish an 11-member Public Safety Advisory Group that will handle any issues that arise with commissioned officers.
To become commissioned, Fitzpatrick said officers must submit applications to him and then undergo an extensive training and evaluation procedure. Three sergeants, Lt. Joan Saylor and Associate Director Tom Hicks will be the first DPS personnel to go through the commissioning procedure.
Part of the process will include classes in the legality of probable cause arrest and searching suspects so that officers will be well aware of their legal limits, Fitzpatrick said.
DPS officers that already patrol student housing have displayed interest in being commissioned, Fitzpatrick said, but he did not know if these officers will make it through the evaluation process.
Through her position in the Office of Student Advocacy, Berkman said she is acquainted with the campus and said she does not believe there is enough of a threat for DPS to commission its officers.
ÒI wonder about the need of the change,Ó she said, ÒI donÕt think thereÕs a justification for it.Ó
With a Eugene Police Station a block away from campus, Berkman also felt there was little need for a larger police force. She said it was not in the best interests of the students to be putting DPS resources into creating an agency focused on persecution and investigation.
Her main point of contention, however, was that there was little opportunity for campus members to discuss the change. ÒIf there was more of a consensus IÕd feel more comfortable,Ó she said.
Watts also said there should have been more discussion prior to the announcement by DPS, but said while he didnÕt believe it was necessary for the department to commission its officers, he would defer to its judgment in matters of campus security.
When the University does have commissioned officers it will join Oregon State University, Western Oregon University, Southern Oregon University and Portland State University in having commissioned officers on campus.
Scott Young, president of the Associated Students of Southern Oregon University, said that although he could understand why the issue would be controversial in Eugene, his campus in Ashland has had no difficulties with expanded power for security officers.
ÒIÕve never seen any problems with it,Ó he said.