Presenter(s)

Paul Wojdacz

Comments

3:00-4:15, Kennedy Union Ballroom

Download Available for download on Tuesday, April 22, 2025

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Description

Campus police officers serve in a complex role within higher education. Officers navigate complex bureaucratic environments while balancing legal mandates, university policies, and being placed between students and the university. Employing a narrative inquiry methodology, this study used semi-structured interviews with 21 sworn campus police officers from universities across the United States to understand campus police officers' lived experiences and perspectives. Findings revealed officers deviate from traditional police methods and perceive themselves as guardians and educators within the larger university. They prioritize community-oriented policing and relationship-building over traditional law enforcement. They find purpose in contributing to student development and campus safety. Collecting non-traditional methods in which officers engaged with their campus community to support learning and belonging. From these experiences, they develop a strong sense of belonging stemming from positively impacting student lives. Narratives illuminate the potential for universities to acknowledge and amplify the diverse roles of campus police. Identifying recognition and student investment opportunities can enhance campus safety and build trust within the campus community. The study challenges traditional law enforcement paradigms by highlighting the importance of relationship-building, student engagement, and collaborative educational opportunities.

Publication Date

4-23-2025

Project Designation

Graduate Research

Primary Advisor

Matthew A. Witenstein

Primary Advisor's Department

Educational Administration

Keywords

Stander Symposium, School of Education and Health Sciences

Institutional Learning Goals

Scholarship; Critical Evaluation of Our Times; Community

Working From Internal to External, Insight Into the Lived Experience of Campus Police Officers in the Support of Student Success

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