University Department of Public Safety Officers could see an increase in off-campus jurisdiction and potentially share equipment and training with the Metropolitan Police Department if an act is passed by the D.C. City Council. The Committee on the Judiciary will have an open hearing on the Omnibus Public Safety Agency Reform Amendment Act of 2002 on Sept. 19.
The Campus Police Force Cooperative Agreements portion of the bill would allow improved coordination between campus police in the District and MPD, including the possibility of sharing equipment, training and radio frequencies, as well as allow campus police increased power in areas adjacent to campus.
The Committee on the Judiciary must pass the bill to the City Council in order for the Council to vote on it.
“Each covered campus police force may enter into a cooperative agreement with the Metropolitain Police Department of the District of Columbia to assist the Department in carrying out crime prevention and law enforcement activities in the District,” the bill reads.
DPS is currently prohibited by law from patrolling off-campus areas, ANC Chairman Peter Pulsifer said.
“Right now [DPS] can’t patrol outside campus boundaries except on Prospect Street,” ANC Commissioner Justin Wagner (CAS ‘03) said. “Public safety and quality of life are real issues for students. [The bill] will get more eyes out into the streets.”
The Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E passed a resolution in favor of the act Tuesday night.
ANC Commissioner Justin Wagner (CAS ‘03) presented the motion to endorse the general intent of the bill. The motion passed seven-to-zero with one member abstaining.
Wagner added that the bill would not mandate an increase in DPS’ jurisdiction but would instead set a framework for the University to enter into an agreement with MPD.
DPS Director William Tucker said the particulars of the bill are unclear.
“There’s still a lot to be ironed out. We have concerns about the way it is written. There’s a lot of discussion needed,” Tucker said.
Wagner also expressed concerns over contradictory liability issues under the bill and the vagueness of some of its provisions.
As to future changes in DPS’ jurisdiction, Tucker said that nothing is definite. “We may have some enforcement powers in areas directly adjacent to campus, like arrests on certain streets,” Tucker said.
A limited increase in jurisdiction will not necessarily benefit students, Tucker said, as DPS is already present in locations adjacent to campus.
“I don’t think it would provide more protection for students. We’re already there,” Tucker said.
The University has yet to take a position on the bill.
“It is essential that the University continue to work in partnership with the Metropolitan Police Department in order to protect the safety and security of students living on campus and in local neighborhoods,” Assistant Vice President Julie Green Bataille said.
The University is learning the details of the proposal and consulting with area universities before announcing its stance on the legislation, Bataille said.
