Student researcher probes Senate Bill 405

Andrew Sylleloglou, a graduate student at Western Oregon University, is conducting an online survey at Portland State in response to the passage of Senate Bill 405 in April through the Oregon Senate. The bill would give all state universities the option to turn regular campus safety offices into full-fledged police departments.

Currently, Oregon campus safety offices are limited in responding to situations. If a case presents a physical threat to students, campus ll local police.

“Oregon is the only state in the union that doesn’t allow universities to arm their police,” Sylleloglous said.

In Portland, where tensions toward police are high after recent shootings, reaction to SB 405 could be controversial. However, according to Sylleloglou and his recent survey, most Portland State and WOU students are in favor of campus public safety offices possessing full police power.  

“I would rather be over-prepared and never need [a firearm] than be under-prepared and need it,” Sylleloglou said.  

While the online survey is yet to be completed, Sylleloglou said that it looks like there is general support at PSU for the bill and the authority it gives to officers on Oregon campuses.  

Mike Anderson, a service employee International Union representative and a CPSO sergeant, explained that—in his personal opinion—the authority granted by SB 405 would allow CPSO to operate more efficiently and to keep people safe.  

“We see drunk drivers on Broadway all the time,” Anderson said. “Right now, we’re not allowed to pull them over. What would happen if a student died? What would the administration say?”  

Students expressing suicidal feelings is another situation prompting limited response by campus safety that Sylleloglou researched. When an Oregon campus safety office gets a call about a student trying to hurt themselves with a knife, campus officers are required to call the police—because a weapon is involved—while waiting outside the student’s door.  

“Twenty-five minutes is a long time in that kind of situation,” Sylleloglou said.  

Another problem, Anderson said, is that people don’t perceive him and his colleagues as “real” public safety officers.  

“I’ve had my nose broken and been thrown down a fire escape,” Anderson said. “The guy thought he couldn’t get in much trouble because I wasn’t the same as a police officer.  I’m not alone.”  

Both Anderson and Sylleloglou agreed that SB 405 would change the perception that campus safety consists of just a few regular security guards—or, as Sylleloglou put it, “mall cops. “

Anderson also said that, according to current law, if a CPSO officer is assaulted on campus, the perpetrator can’t be charged with assaulting an officer because campus employees don’t qualify as officers.  

However, while the authority granted by SB 405 would be a tremendous boon to campus public safety offices, Sylleloglou said that the bill’s success will depend on the right implementation. He identified the cost of equipment and training required to arm officers as the only negative aspects of the bill.   

Another requirement of the bill is that campus safety offices create citizen review boards.   

“There would be a closer relationship with the municipal department,” Anderson said. “While they may have strong relationships, the personnel can’t work seamlessly.”  

SB 405 passed in the Oregon State Senate last month and is currently in the House of Representatives. ?