Student Patrollers work in conjunction with uniformed Campus Police staff to provide a more secure campus by acting as "eyes and ears." Patrollers conduct foot a bicycle patrols in teams of two, at night, in all types of weather conditions. Other assignments include providing security at the School of Law and the Alumni Healthful Living Center as needed. Patrollers assist with traffic control and security during special events such as college fairs, political debates, and concerts. They also help monitor the 47 closed-circuit surveillance cameras that are positioned throughout campus. Examples of what patrollers respond to and report include disturbances, maintenance problems, unsecured buildings, medical emergencies, and suspicious activities.
As with all students on campus, patrollers are not allowed to carry personal weapons. Staff is provided with shirts, windbreakers, winter coats, raincoats, black BDU pants, flashlights, reflective traffic vests for traffic details and a two-way radio for communication with Campus Police. Student Patrol also has four mountain bikes that are used for patrol, weather permitting. They receive a brief class in bicycle safety conducted by the department's bike patrol coordinator as well as a class on recognizing threats and how to respond to them. The department's defensive tactics coordinator offers this training. Patrollers are not permitted to respond to any incident within a residential building unless accompanied by a uniformed campus police officer. During the 2005 - 2006 school season, 10 students were part of the Student Patrol unit, two of which are supervisors. The Student Patrol program began in 1995 with just 6 people and continues to expand.
Think you'd like to become a Student Patroller? Here are some facts:
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Excellent resume builder
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Join the bike patrol unit and receive patrol bicycle training
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Help maintain a safe campus by working in conjunction with uniformed Campus Police
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Patrollers are typically Criminal Justice majors, but all others are welcome. First preference typically goes to students with Work Study, who are undergraduates and academically sound. There is a strong emphasis on professionalism and accountability.
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Rotating work schedule, so you don't have to work the same days every week. The unit operates primarily at night, Wednesday through Saturday, either monitoring cameras or conducting mobile patrols. There is an obligation to work at least 8 hours per week with opportunity for additional work if wanted. Each patrol shift is four hours long; typically from 8:00 PM to midnight, and / or from 10:00 PM to 2:00 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. Camera shifts are conducted four days a week for no more than three hours per shift.
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Student Patrollers have obtained employment with agencies such as the NYPD, Hampden County (MA) Sheriff's Dept., Falmouth (MA) Police Dept, Hampden (MA) Police Dept, Eastfield Mall (Springfield) Security, the Central Intelligence Agency, and the Western New England College Police Dept.
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The Student Patrol program also helped initiate internships with agencies such as the Massachusetts State Police Underwater Recovery Team, West Springfield (MA) Police and the Springfield (MA) Police K9 Unit.
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Please direct additional questions to Off. Bernie St. George 413.782.1300, or Mr. Curtis McKeighan 413.782.1519.