I'm not sure I agree with the view that ND campus police are some sort of private security firm for the university - they have arresting powers, uphold state and federal laws and place violators in the public court system, don't they? A private security firm would turn all matters over to an actual police force. I'm not sure one can make the argument that ND campus police is somehow not a police force, and I would be particularly interested to hear an ND cop's opinion on the matter. I suspect he or she wouldn't take kindly to being called a rent-a-cop, as they take their jobs pretty seriously.
That said, if it's true, as many have pointed out, that ND police does not have what we in Michigan would call a "mutual aid agreement" between jurisdictions, wherein campus police are sworn deputies for the surrounding community and may be requested for assistance in unusual/emergency situations, then I also can't see how their operation could be scrutinized under some "public agency" angle either.
My understanding is that a campus police force is similar to a volunteer fire department. Many of you are probably not aware that municipalities are not legally required to offer their own fire protection services. (There are still townships in Michigan who contract their fire and first responder services from neighboring municipalities.) The key issue, however, is that once your municipality chooses to provide a fire protection service, it must adhere to minimum guidelines for operation, training, equipment, etc., set forth by state and national governing bodies.
My understanding of a campus police force is that it is a similar concept. A college or university is not required to maintain it's own police force on campus. However, if it chooses to do so, it is obligated to meet minimum standards for operation, training, etc. You can't do it half way. You are either a police department or you are not. Now, how much you choose to collaborate with neighboring police agencies is largely up to local law and institutional preference. Central Michigan University's police force, for example, is deputized by both the city and county, and even recently became deputized to operate within the city of Saginaw, as the university now operates a medical school there within the city limits. You won't see CMU police cars patrolling outside of campus, but if called, they have full police authority and credentials within these other jurisdictions.
That said, if it's true, as many have pointed out, that ND police does not have what we in Michigan would call a "mutual aid agreement" between jurisdictions, wherein campus police are sworn deputies for the surrounding community and may be requested for assistance in unusual/emergency situations, then I also can't see how their operation could be scrutinized under some "public agency" angle either.
My understanding is that a campus police force is similar to a volunteer fire department. Many of you are probably not aware that municipalities are not legally required to offer their own fire protection services. (There are still townships in Michigan who contract their fire and first responder services from neighboring municipalities.) The key issue, however, is that once your municipality chooses to provide a fire protection service, it must adhere to minimum guidelines for operation, training, equipment, etc., set forth by state and national governing bodies.
My understanding of a campus police force is that it is a similar concept. A college or university is not required to maintain it's own police force on campus. However, if it chooses to do so, it is obligated to meet minimum standards for operation, training, etc. You can't do it half way. You are either a police department or you are not. Now, how much you choose to collaborate with neighboring police agencies is largely up to local law and institutional preference. Central Michigan University's police force, for example, is deputized by both the city and county, and even recently became deputized to operate within the city of Saginaw, as the university now operates a medical school there within the city limits. You won't see CMU police cars patrolling outside of campus, but if called, they have full police authority and credentials within these other jurisdictions.
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