Des Moines Register
10-26-07
Regents deliberate policy arming police
ERIN JORDAN
REGISTER IOWA CITY BUREAU
The Iowa Board of Regents will consider a proposal next week that would allow
campus police officers to carry guns.
The provision approving firearms and ammunition for certified police officers at
the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern
Iowa is part of a comprehensive security policy the regents will discuss
Wednesday in Iowa City.
The policy would have additional requirements for the universities that include
implementing an emergency communication system, seeking early identification
of people who may be a threat to themselves or campus and establishing
additional training programs for campus police.
“The requirements for carrying a weapon on the college campuses in Iowa will be
greater than anywhere else in the state,” said Gary Steinke, the board’s
executive director.
Certified police officers on the campuses would be allowed to carry firearms,
which has been prohibited at Iowa’s public universities for 40 years. Officers now
can use guns, but only with special permission from the president.
The type of guns and ammunition used by campus police should be approved by
the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy and the FBI, the policy states. A written
report would be required each time a weapon was fired outside of training.
Any officer who causes serious injury or death would be placed on administrative
leave pending a review of the incident, the policy states. This is common practice
in law enforcement agencies and would pertain to officers who cause serious
injury or death with a gun, Taser, car or by any other means, Steinke said.
The comprehensive security policy will have its first reading Wednesday, but the
regents could waive the second reading and approve the policy. Implementation
would depend on how soon the universities could complete the requirements,
such as increased training, Steinke said.