| Since in one of the Threads in the Employment Section has touched on powers of arrest for college and university departments in other states, I figured I'd look up California. Man, if you think Mass. Law can be confusing, try finding something in California Law. Simple Chapter and Section isn't good enough for them. They have Titles, Sections, Parts, Articles, etc. Anyway, here's the excerp from the California law. 830.7. The following persons are not peace officers but may exercise the powers of arrest of a peace officer as specified in Section 836 during the course and within the scope of their employment, if they successfully complete a course in the exercise of those powers pursuant to Section 832: (b) Persons regularly employed as security officers for independent institutions of higher education, recognized under subdivision (b) of Section 66010 of the Education Code, if the institution has concluded a memorandum of understanding, permitting the exercise of that authority, with the sheriff or the chief of police within whose jurisdiction the institution lies. So, in other words, they aren't considered PEACE OFFICERS, but have PEACE OFFICER powers. I've looked over NY state as well and that's an interesting one. Each institution that gets Peace Officer Status (which is LESS than Police Officer status) has it's own section in that part of the law. Anyone know how any other states work? |

| Thanks for that clarification csauce, I visit LOADS of department websites (I like doing the research and comparing) and find some very vague and some very precise in what they can and cannot do. I definately got the impression that, in CA, as far as the state schools go (I believe they have statewide authority) they are cutting edge, but private, it's chaotic. This confirms my impression that SOME private schools are similar in authority (stress SIMILAR) to police departments. That's great information. I'm going to add part of the job description from USF at the bottom of this. Public Safety Officers possess Peace Office Powers of Arrest under authority of Section 830.7 of the California Penal Code. They are responsible for continuous patrol of the University campus, initial response to all campus emergencies (including medical and criminal), and the enforcement of University rules, regulations and applicable criminal laws on campus. Officers enforce the California Vehicle Code on campus, arrest offenders and provide a variety of service functions. Public Safety Officers are required to work any shift in a 24 hour day, including holidays. Very interesting. ![]() So, now I've got to do some digging on other states. Thanks again csauce! |
| Gee, we've served search warrants and pink slipped folks. We were told that, as "SPECIAL STATE POLICE" we were authorized to also serve any arrest warrant we had, anywhere in the Commonwealth. Damn Straight Jim! As long as you notify the proper people first. We USED to do that Massasoit too! then things changed and... I don't recall any problems under the old Ch. 147 sec. 10G, I wonder why a new law would have been an issue? Damn Straight Jim! As long as you remember your history. MGL CH147/s10G which granted "Special Police" powers from the DPS, was replaced by shifting responsibility for same to the Colonel of the MSP under CH22C and letting him appoint "Special State Police Officers" . |
| Kilvinsky, I believe you are correct regarding state wide authority under the California penal code. I was a little confused because the education code gives authority up to one mile surrounding campus. I got this one off the Sandiego State Campus PD website. I guess Mass isn't the only confusing state. Jurisdiction: The primary jurisdiction of the UCSD Police Department is the University campus and one mile surrounding the campus, as indicated in the California Education Code section 92600. |
| Since in one of the Threads in the Employment Section has touched on powers of arrest for college and university departments in other states, I figured I'd look up California. Man, if you think Mass. Law can be confusing, try finding something in California Law. Simple Chapter and Section isn't good enough for them. They have Titles, Sections, Parts, Articles, etc. Anyway, here's the excerp from the California law. 830.7. The following persons are not peace officers but may exercise the powers of arrest of a peace officer as specified in Section 836 during the course and within the scope of their employment, if they successfully complete a course in the exercise of those powers pursuant to Section 832: (b) Persons regularly employed as security officers for independent institutions of higher education, recognized under subdivision (b) of Section 66010 of the Education Code, if the institution has concluded a memorandum of understanding, permitting the exercise of that authority, with the sheriff or the chief of police within whose jurisdiction the institution lies. So, in other words, they aren't considered PEACE OFFICERS, but have PEACE OFFICER powers. I've looked over NY state as well and that's an interesting one. Each institution that gets Peace Officer Status (which is LESS than Police Officer status) has it's own section in that part of the law. Anyone know how any other states work? |
| This is a chart I pulled up from the Syracuse University Public Safety website. It explains the differences in authority. They went from "Enhanced Authority" to "Peace Officer Status" and as you can see, it gives them some powers we don't have and doesn't give them some we do have. I just hope it's not too small to see, but then again, your computers are equipt to enlarge things...I'm not talking about porn either. Just click on it and then magnify it. Attachment 830 |
| HEY, bikecop.... Was it Colgate? Aaaaaaaaaahahaha, kidding. That department that I think we're both speaking of seems very squared away and it seemed like they were well ahead of the Peace Officer thing. The one thing that did always confuse me and don't take this as anything other than simple confusion; One of the things that I read when the change was happening or considered was the issue of lightbars. I recall that there was grave concern that the total lack of light bars had been considered a real hazard for the officers because they often had to respond to or came across traffic accidents or other situations where on-coming traffic might not see them and the hazard lights just didn't cut it. Hence, red emergency lights were needed. If there was a serious concern, prior to the authorization for RED lights, wouldn't yellow (or possibly green) have been a viable altenative? Better than nothing, so to speak. Did they HAVE to wait and hope for RED? Ever since I read that (I wish I could recall where and what it was) that question has buzzed around my mind. I'm just very glad for that department (and all of those who've achieved that status*) and wish them all luck. *It seems that the only ones I know of are Syracuse Univ., Ithica College, Canisius College, Cornell Univ. (who use the word POLICE), and CUNY. Are there more? |
| Bikecop, I just re-read your post. Man, I fully understand about doing ‘stupid stuff.’ We’ve all done it when it seemed warranted and we’ll all do it again at some point, I’m sure. Sometimes you find yourself in a corner and don’t have a lot of choice or worse, you’re TOLD to do it, but since it’s not in writing so if anything goes horribly wrong…. My family has friends who used to live up there in Fayetteville and I know all about how the weather is. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, even in July! |
| You wanna talk about insane weather? True story...it once snowed on the 4th of July in Syracuse. I believe it was in 1992 maybe...before my time though. Everyone should spend a winter in upstate NY...makes you appreciate how mild New England weather is! |
vBulletin Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Limited.
vB Easy Archive Final ©2000 - 2008 - Created by Stefan "Xenon" Kaeser