Two public forums are scheduled for discussion of the peace officer capabilities authorized to selected Syracuse University Department of Public Safety officers under legislation recently signed by Gov. George E. Pataki.
An all-University forum will be held Wednesday, Nov. 5, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel. A faculty/staff forum will take place Tuesday, Nov. 11, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel. Detailed information on the peace officer status is available on the Web at http://sunews.syr.edu/peaceofficer/index.html
The peace officer legislation adds to the enhanced authority granted to SU Public Safety officers by state law in 1995. Among their new capabilities, the Public Safety officers commissioned to be peace officers can enforce orders of protection related to domestic violence, issue appearance tickets, issue tickets for simplified vehicle and traffic violations, respond more appropriately to traffic accidents and sensitive calls, and transport the seriously mentally ill for medical assessment.
Carrying out these additional duties places the Public Safety officers in potentially dangerous situations. Subsequently, the University is considering the authorization of its peace officers to carry firearms after undergoing proper screening and training, as allowed by the state criminal procedure law.
Chancellor Kenneth A. Shaw, with the support of the Board of Trustees and input from the University community, will consider the arming of these officers, as well as the implementation process and time frame for enacting the peace officer powers.
