When the story broke this weekend that a Public Safety officer struck a student’s vehicle in the early hours of Saturday morning, many were awestruck at the peculiarity of such news. As might be expected, questions were rampant regarding the circumstances surrounding the collision. Was the officer involved a student? Did he fall asleep at the wheel? Was anyone injured?
Interestingly enough, a huge number of students reacted with laughter — and in some cases joy — that an officer of our own DPS made a huge blunder. This reaction often came before they even knew that the officer and student were OK.
Several students, out of an almost strange, unexpected eagerness, contacted The Graphic with tips that eventually led to an interview with the owner of the damaged vehicle, senior Jessica Hooten.
This culmination of events points to a troubling question — why is there so much tension between Pepperdine students and DPS officers?
One reason for the glee is rooted in a more general struggle between citizens and the police force. Especially in Los Angeles County, for example, members of the Sheriff’s Department and California Highway Patrol are often perceived more as ruthless sticklers looking for an excuse to strike than trustworthy protectors of the peace.
Also, college students by nature are rebellious against authority. As they try to deal with their newfound independence, this population, chiefly 18 to 21-year-olds, seldom take kindly to rules and regulations enforced upon them by a policing body — especially one that is comprised of many student workers and officers.
Nevertheless, the deep-seeded sentiments on campus run a bit deeper. As a result of heightened efforts to curb drunken driving on campus, DPS officers heavily patrol campus roads at night, especially on weekends. There have been numerous complaints from self-proclaimed sober students about escalated traffic stops and the over-persistence of officers during this time period.
Another notable escalation is the number of sheriff patrol cars on campus.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has full jurisdiction over the Pepperdine campus, but this year has seen an increased number of officers scattered across campus patrolling stop signs, writing parking tickets and sharing fashion advice with DPS officers (Campus officers now frequently sport blue hats closely resembling those in the highway patrol uniform).
Although both the Seaver student body and Public Safety have legitimate rationales and justifications for conflicts, unresolved bitterness toward Public Safety from the student body exists and could decrease.
In fact, the university took a big step toward this goal last year when Jim Huffman, who ran the department like a police agency, left the post of director of Public Safety, and Earl Carpenter took over. Few people who speak with Carpenter, Deputy Director Rob McKelvy or Assistant Director David Stephens leave with a feeling that DPS is “out to get them.” This is not surprising considering Carpenter’s emphasis on building a service-centered department.
For the hundreds of students who deal with the officers on the street, however, this message has not been delivered.
Students continue to complain en masse about officers who stop them for trivial or nonexistent offenses, who infringe upon their property rights and who make students feel even less safe when they arrive on scene.
We suggest that Public Safety try to be more open and explicit regarding its programs and policies, which would certainly facilitate student
understanding.
Furthermore, a student evaluation — similar to those we fill out for professors at the end of the semester — may go a long way in figuring out exactly why so many disdain DPS, and which officers in particular treat students unjustly.
At the same time, students must strive to set aside their knee-jerk reactions to campus authority, which in many cases may lead to embellishment and overreaction, causing legitimate complaints to drown amid the fury of bitter students.
We don’t believe Public Safety is seeking to ruin the lives of certain students. But it’s clear after talking to students that some officers are giving the entire department a bad name.
It would be a huge step for the university if the officer-student relationship improved to the point where bad news for Public Safety would not be reacted to with glee.
September 11, 2003