Spring Break
Police officers to carry guns by fall
by Lital Shair
News | 5/20/08
Posted online at 7:53 AM EST on 5/20/08
All Brandeis Public Safety officers will be armed by the time students return to campus in the fall, according to Chief of Public Safety Ed Callahan.
Callahan said that the 11 or 12 Public Safety officers who have successfully completed the required tests will be armed by June 2.
Officers will be expected to carry firearms during all of their shifts once they are armed. The firearms are the property of the University. When not in use they must be secured and then stowed in a separate locker, which is monitored by closed-circuit television.
Concerns regarding the process of arming the police include the circumstances under which officers can use firearms, whether the officers will carry them all the time and whether the guns will intimidate students.
In response to these concerns, the Firearms Policy Advisory Committee came up with a report, which was written by Senior Vice President of Communication Lorna Miles, detailing the required training and tests officers must undergo in order to carry firearms, as well as the conditions under which an officer may use his gun.
The policy "outlines a continuum of force, which basically entails different steps and different processes [for dealing with situations that may entail the use of firearms]," said Callahan. The policy was developed after looking at similar policies at nearby institutions such, as Tufts University.
The policy can now be found on the Public Safety Web site, along with a list of frequently asked questions regarding the use of firearms at Brandeis.
"For most practices, that continuum of force works in escalation and de-escalation form," said Callahan, and "it's up to the officer to determine where he or she can start" in the continuum of responses.
The first step in the process is verbalization, followed by physical strength and/or hand control. Next comes the use of a chemical substance such as oleoresin capsicum, a spray similar to pepper spray, which all Public Safety Officers carry. The next step is use of an impact weapon/defensive force, which entails a police baton, and lastly, the use of deadly force/firearms.
Callahan said that the 11 or 12 Public Safety officers who have successfully completed the required tests will be armed by June 2.
Officers will be expected to carry firearms during all of their shifts once they are armed. The firearms are the property of the University. When not in use they must be secured and then stowed in a separate locker, which is monitored by closed-circuit television.
Concerns regarding the process of arming the police include the circumstances under which officers can use firearms, whether the officers will carry them all the time and whether the guns will intimidate students.
In response to these concerns, the Firearms Policy Advisory Committee came up with a report, which was written by Senior Vice President of Communication Lorna Miles, detailing the required training and tests officers must undergo in order to carry firearms, as well as the conditions under which an officer may use his gun.
The policy "outlines a continuum of force, which basically entails different steps and different processes [for dealing with situations that may entail the use of firearms]," said Callahan. The policy was developed after looking at similar policies at nearby institutions such, as Tufts University.
The policy can now be found on the Public Safety Web site, along with a list of frequently asked questions regarding the use of firearms at Brandeis.
"For most practices, that continuum of force works in escalation and de-escalation form," said Callahan, and "it's up to the officer to determine where he or she can start" in the continuum of responses.
The first step in the process is verbalization, followed by physical strength and/or hand control. Next comes the use of a chemical substance such as oleoresin capsicum, a spray similar to pepper spray, which all Public Safety Officers carry. The next step is use of an impact weapon/defensive force, which entails a police baton, and lastly, the use of deadly force/firearms.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 4
mike rosenberg
posted 5/20/08 @ 2:19 PM EST
Okay so Brandeis police are going to carry real guns.... the real question is are they going to carry real bullets? If so, why? A large person, and even a riot can be stopped with non-lethal ammunition such as rubber bullets. (Continued…)
Alan Royals
posted 5/20/08 @ 11:11 PM EST
I'd like to thank those in charge of this decision for taking measures like this to help ensure the safety of the Brandeis community. Keep it up!
Gideon Klionsky
Gideon Klionsky
posted 5/22/08 @ 7:11 AM EST
Let's hope that among the "cultural differences and values" the police are learning to "deal with" is NOT the value of gunmen entering classrooms of studying Jewish students. (Continued…)
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