Lanane: Campus Police Should be Allowed Statewide Jurisdiction

Senate approves bill to allow university police to exercise powers off campus

INDIANAPOLIS, IN  – The State Senate voted 39 to 11 today to approve a measure that would expand the jurisdiction of university and college police beyond campus. State Senator Tim Lanane (D-Anderson) authored Senate Bill 54 to eliminate unnecessary restrictions for campus police to investigate and solve crimes that happen on school property or affect campus life.

“Put simply, this measure would allow campus police to arrest the perpetrator of a campus crime, even if he or she lives off campus,” Lanane said. “Campus police would also have the authority to respond to emergency situations that occur off campus.”

Under the bill, campus police would be able to exercise their police powers in any part of the state. Currently, campus police jurisdiction is limited to any real property owned or occupied by the college or university, including the streets passing through and adjacent to the campus. Upon agreement with local law enforcement agencies, additional jurisdiction may be granted to a campus police department for enforcement cooperation.

Proponents of the bill argue that campus police undergo the same training as municipal police and that expanding the jurisdiction would benefit Hoosiers through an increased number of officers securing Indiana’s communities statewide.

If approved, Senate Bill 54 could affect Anderson University’s Police Department which employs five full-time sworn police officers.

For more information on Sen. Lanane, his legislative agenda or other State Senate business call 1-800-382-9467 or visit www.senatedemocrats.in.gov.