Erica and the Public Safety Team – Understanding Our Impact

Erica, the chief of the campus public safety department, arranges a bi-annual forum on public safety to receive feedback and recommendations from community members. During the forum, student leaders share their perception of disproportionate public safety presence at events that are attended predominately by students of color. The campus leaders give examples including National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc./Greek Life step shows, outdoor events with the Black Cultural Center and the annual MLK peace march.

Erica assures that public safety is in regular rotation for all community members and that many large-scale campus events include public safety attendance. The student leaders contend that the presence of public safety feels disconcerting, and they are unsure of any safety needs that would require the presence of public safety. Student leaders ask that public safety consult and inquire before sending officers to events.

During the forum, the students share their personal experiences with police violence, and the negative impacts of police presence in their home communities. Erica does not immediately understand the students’ concerns. She thanks the students for their input and assures that she will take time to reflect and deliberate with her team. Erica also asks if students would be willing to meet with her individually to discuss in more detail, and the student leaders agree.

Erica convenes her direct reports and the student leaders the following week. Erica learns more about the students’ experiences with law enforcement. Erica also comes to better understand how the presence of public safety can have a marginalizing impact on students of color and negatively impact the outcomes of their campus programming. Erica proposes a communication plan to the student leaders that maintains her department’s commitment to safety and enables the student leaders to maintain the decorum and atmosphere so their events can thrive. The student leaders agree to pilot the communication plan and reconvene to discuss its effectiveness.

Key Take-Aways
  • The Issue: The presence of public safety officers at events marketed for students of color is having an adverse impact on the sense of belonging for students of color. Erica struggles to understand the nature and significance of the students’ concerns.
  • The Deliberation: Erica invites further discussion with student leaders and her direct reports. The student leaders are able to discuss their concerns with more nuance, and Erica is able imagine possible changes to her team’s policies and practices.
  • The Growth: Erica better understands the histories of police violence in communities of color which underpin the students’ apprehension of public safety presence at campus events. The group is able to propose and pilot a communication plan that may mutually match both constituencies’ goals.