Arming Campus Police Decision on Hold

By: Steve Nicoles, Reporter

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By Steve Nicoles

Story Created: Jul 19, 2007 at 5:13 PM CST

Story Updated: Jul 19, 2007 at 8:32 PM CST

DES MOINES - Attacks on college campuses earlier this year sparked debate over whether campus police should be armed. Reports from security at Iowa's three regent universities suggest the time has come for officers to carry guns. But it will not be easy.

The report says the University of Iowa, the University of Northern Iowa and Iowa State University are taking steps to protect campus, but arming officers is one area of campus security still to be determined.

A report released by the governor's office makes several recommendations to improve campus security. Lt. Governor Patty Judge said, “The regents institutions are prepared, but like anything else there is room for improvement."

But there is no word on whether campus police should be armed with guns every day. Judge said, “There will not be a recommendation from the governor's office."

The directors of public safety at the three universities have long said they support arming their officers. Campus police are trained and certified just like city police. And city officers carry guns. University of Iowa Director of Public Safety Chuck Green said, “They feel they can't adequately protect the public and themselves without all the tools of law enforcement."

The regents want the university presidents to make a recommendation this fall. With public safety support, and the fact the Big-10 and Big-12 officers are armed, it looks like it could be a lock. So why haven't the regents armed officers before? Executive Director to the boar Gary Steinke said, “I have no idea."

Armed officers might not have prevented Iowa's deadliest moment, the Gang Lu shootings in November 1991. Director of Iowa State Public Safety Gene Meyer said, “It's not an issue of prevention. It's an issue of isolating and containing a live shooter situation."

New University of Iowa president Sally Mason will have to take shots at this issue almost immediately. Her decision will go a long way to determining what happens next.

As for steps the University of Iowa is taking, it is creating outdoor sirens with voice messaging to alert the campus of emergencies. The rest of the report suggests examining and studying staffing and training issues.

E-mail Steve Nicoles at Steve.Nicoles@kcrg.com

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