Oklahoma City University has had a complicated history over the past semester in the campus police department. In the last year, two police chiefs have resigned or been terminated.
Last semester, a police officer resigned after being accused of racial discrimination, and the interim police chief was accused of making homophobic comments to an officer.
These past incidents are reasons why the university’s decision to involve students in the process of selecting a new police chief was such an important and valuable choice. OCU recently selected a new police chief, Maj. Dexter Nelson, who has an extensive history in law enforcement and is the first person of color to be police chief at OCU.
Students want to be assured Nelson will communicate with the campus population and be a source for positive change in the campus police department. As Nelson joins the campus community and begins working to establish a connection with students, students should allow this connection to form.
After the turbulence within campus police, mistrust is understandable. However, rebuilding trust requires action from both parties. The police cannot form a positive relationship with the student body if students don’t give them a chance, and students cannot trust a police department that demonstrates a lack of accountability and concern for student issues.
The OCU spirit is to welcome change and work toward a positive future as a community. Though it might be difficult, students should work to welcome Nelson with open arms and trust. These actions will foster communication in a system where, at times, it has been lacking.
Student organizations, especially those representing the voices of students, should not hesitate to forge a relationship with Nelson and encourage open discussion of how student relationships with police can be improved. After all, the police department is here to protect students, and students have the greatest understanding of how security and profiling issues affect their feelings of safety.
Students should keep an open mind and work to welcome Nelson to the community. Whether it’s by attending social events with police officers or reaching out through a larger organization, these actions will start to foster openness and trust, instead of cynicism and fear.
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