Spring Break
Campus police lobby for arms; Student Senate debates transfer of $2K COO stipend
Greg Gentile
Issue date: 2/5/09 Section: News
02/05/09 - The allotting of firearms into the hands of campus police has been a controversial topic at the University of Rhode Island for years.
This issue was revisited last night when Maj. Stephen Baker of the campus police asked the URI Student Senate and student body to attend upcoming forums to voice their opinions about the subject.
Baker, along with URI police officer Mark Chearino, explained the history of the topic, while adding their points of view as members of the campus police.
The commission to arm campus officers was formed in 2001 with permission from the Rhode Island State House. The commission included professor Leo Carroll, Chearino and Baker. As of last summer, the commission proposed a bill to the state legislature. According to Baker, the State House already has the authority to arm campus police and a bill doesn't need to be passed. However, the legislature wanted to form a committee to take another look at arming campus police, not only at URI but at the Community College of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College as well.
The Rhode Island Board of Governors formed a committee. Presidents from each university appointed members of the committee.
From URI, Carroll and Baker were appointed. The committee also included Rhode Island State Police Lt. James Manny, and a representative from the attorney general's office.
The goal of this committee was "to see if anything had changed since 2001, when the last study was done," Baker said, "and at some point to make a recommendation to the Board of Governors if we feel that the university police at all three institutions should be armed."
The committee will be holding public forums at each college as part of the study. The first of the four scheduled forums was held at RIC yesterday. Baker said about 15 people attended this forum.
"I think and I hope URI will be better represented when we come here," Baker said. Baker and Chearino stressed that the students should make their feelings known so they can make the best decision for all three campuses.
This issue was revisited last night when Maj. Stephen Baker of the campus police asked the URI Student Senate and student body to attend upcoming forums to voice their opinions about the subject.
Baker, along with URI police officer Mark Chearino, explained the history of the topic, while adding their points of view as members of the campus police.
The commission to arm campus officers was formed in 2001 with permission from the Rhode Island State House. The commission included professor Leo Carroll, Chearino and Baker. As of last summer, the commission proposed a bill to the state legislature. According to Baker, the State House already has the authority to arm campus police and a bill doesn't need to be passed. However, the legislature wanted to form a committee to take another look at arming campus police, not only at URI but at the Community College of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College as well.
The Rhode Island Board of Governors formed a committee. Presidents from each university appointed members of the committee.
From URI, Carroll and Baker were appointed. The committee also included Rhode Island State Police Lt. James Manny, and a representative from the attorney general's office.
The goal of this committee was "to see if anything had changed since 2001, when the last study was done," Baker said, "and at some point to make a recommendation to the Board of Governors if we feel that the university police at all three institutions should be armed."
The committee will be holding public forums at each college as part of the study. The first of the four scheduled forums was held at RIC yesterday. Baker said about 15 people attended this forum.
"I think and I hope URI will be better represented when we come here," Baker said. Baker and Chearino stressed that the students should make their feelings known so they can make the best decision for all three campuses.
