University Police, Not Our Parents

Over the past couple months, I have had several different conversations with peers about the campus police and have even overheard individuals making statements like, “I hate the police,” “Our party got busted ‘cause campus police sucks,” or even things like “Wow, why did the UPD get a Prius? We must have paid for that with the rise in tuition!”

All these statements have circulated time and time again and I began to wonder if the campus police were really all that evil, secretive, and spending our money on going green!
I grew to become greatly interested in learning more about the University Police Department here at California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) and what I learned changed my mind about them entirely!

As we could all probably agree with, police officers are not called when things are going well. They are called when there is a problem so it is only natural that police receive the criticism that they do. After all, any occupations with the responsibility of bringing order out of chaos or enforcing the rules are going to be controversial positions. I know I am not cheering on referees, umpires, or lawyers when they are not on my side or agreeing with stance.

Each day, the police officers on campus, in the surrounding neighborhoods and cities perform hundreds of thousands of acts a day that may contribute to the mainstream media’s typical idea of who cops are but fail to mention their compassion, their competence, and their commitment to the community.

Recently, I went over to the University Police Department to meet with Chief of Police, Earl Lawson. Right when I walked into the department, I was greeted with a warm smile and a friendly hello. As I sat in the lobby, waiting for my meeting to begin, I was again greeted by each passing police officer that walked by me or in and out of the building. Not before long, a tall, built, middle aged man walked toward me with a smile as well and his hand out to say, “Hi, how do you say your name?!”

It was on that Thursday afternoon when I met with Chief Lawson that my perspective on the university police had altered and everything I had heard and overheard prior to the meeting had quickly been overwritten. My meeting lasted over an hour and in that time, I was also not only introduced to Chief Lawson’s administrative support team and officers, but I was given the greatest tour. I was able to look into almost every single room and office in the building, including the insides of the well kept cells. Chief Lawson made sure to slam the door tight so I was able to hear the suctioning of the sea foam colored door close which had my eyes wide.

Contrary to what many may believe, the UPD proactively investigates illegal activities going on around the campus and living quarters at all times but they are not out to attack you and your friends at East Campus parties or give you a parking ticket because they are bored. In a sense, the UPD are like our home away from home parents. They do not want to see you or I spend a night in a cell or a hospital. They are just doing their jobs.

Beyond the activity logs, public safety bulletins, and parking service information available online, the officers and administrative support at CSUMB’s UPD is full of sociable and responsive workers. They are all more than happy to answer most questions for you. Including the number of cameras on campus. Which by the way is 232!

I would recommend the CSUMB community to embrace the presence of any officer and forward a smile. It’s the least we can do for those who keep us safe day in and day out.