The question of arming campus public safety officers at Portland State has been circulating for several months, with many in the PSU community wondering what the best solution is while the pros and cons are weighed on both sides of the discussion.
Those opposing the formation of PSU’s own campus police department have consistently cited the arming of police officers as a top issue to be considered in this process.
Meanwhile, another local university is actively seeking to arm its public safety officers.
Oregon Health and Science University is currently pursuing authorization already granted to members of the Oregon University System that allows them to create campus police departments and arm and train university police officers, said Jim Newman of OHSU’s communications department.
“If and when OHSU receives this authority, university officials will continue a decision-making process that may eventually result in the arming of OHSU police officers,” Newman said.
However, OHSU wants to make sure proper training and “oversight systems” can be established to enhance safety and security while reducing risk on OHSU’s campus.
“Only [then would OHSU] proceed with arming campus police officers,” Newman said.
The discussion regarding whether OHSU should arm its campus safety officers has been going on for many years, and in 2008 a committee was created to respond to this issue.
The task force included OHSU neighbors, Oregon legislators, public safety experts and OHSU officials.
“[They] recommended that OHSU either seek to arm its officers or contract with an external armed police agency to ensure rapid response, if needed,” Newman said.
Since the committee’s recommendation in 2008, further research has been done at OHSU to shed light on the best way to proceed.
The research found that forming a campus police department and arming university police officers is a better option for OHSU than contracting with an external agency, Newman said.
“Extensive OHSU research has concluded that patients, visitors and staff members will be most effectively protected with specialized training and careful oversight of armed university police officers rather than use of contracted officers,” he said.
Currently, OHSU’s Department of Public Safety operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with a staff of 40 “dedicated professionals responsible for insuring the safety of [OHSU’s] campus,” according to its website.
The Oregon Legislature passed a bill allowing colleges and universities to create their own police departments in fall 2011. The University of Oregon was the first university in the state to take advantage of this opportunity.
OHSU’s Department of Public Safety website can be found at ohsu.edu/xd/about/services/public-safety/about-us/index.cfm.