Chatting for Change

CLOCK PHOTO / JESSIE STEVENS

Acording to their page on plymouth.edu, the Plymouth State University Police Department “assists in creating and maintaining a safe, comfortable environment for the campus community and surrounding areas.” Despite these positive intentions, students sometimes feel as if UPD exists solely to bust their parties and ruin their evenings. As with most any type of authority, there will always be a certain amount of tension between officer and citizen, and this is not necessarily a bad thing. To ensure fair treatment and representation, citizens must be taught to question authority to ensure that their best interests are being met. Allowing for this, the relationship between students and officers functions best when mutual respect and understanding exists. Chief of University Police, Rick Bailey, shared his insights on what is being done to help promote a harmonious relationship between students and officers, and what can be improved upon. 

Chief Bailey was brought in a year ago with a consulting company to help smooth relations between students and officers. He brought his knowledge from 26 years with the Nashua Police Department, and was asked to step in as Chief of the University Police Department. Chief Bailey has helped facilitate a variety of programs to build a mutual respect during his short time here. “I emphasize getting us out walking more,” says Chief Bailey. “We try to be seen around campus and in the residential halls, during times when it’s not controversial. It’s important to be seen, as well as to get to know people.”  He stresses the importance of trying to meet students, so that if an issue does arise, cooperation from both parties is more likely. 

Chief Bailey has also helped to develop the Amnesty Policy at Plymouth State. The Amnesty Policy is designed to protect students by allowing them to seek emergency medical attention for themselves or another student, without being charged with violations of the school drug and alcohol policies. The health and safety of students is the school’s primary concern, so Plymouth does not want students risking their health for fear of getting in judicial trouble. As a father of students who recently graduated from college, Chief Bailey knows the importance of enjoying the college experience and preparing for life after school; however, he views students with a perspective only a parent can have, stressing safety over all else.  “Our objective is to keep people safe,” says Bailey. “We send more people to the student judicial system than courts. We have a responsibility to get them [students] out into the world as viable candidates for jobs.” 

If Chief Bailey could change one thing on campus, it would be the amount of heavy binge drinking that happens. This is when it turns from a fun night to a potentially dangerous situation. He asks that students take only a second before making decisions to ask what the worst thing that can happen if they do something is, and could they live with that result? 

Chief Bailey and the University Police Department are taking steps to develop trust and a cooperative relationship between students and officers. Chief Bailey says that “it takes time to change culture and create trust”. By thinking about their actions, and knowing that University Police is there to serve the community and protect them, students can help develop this change. Arrests will be made, and conflicts will arise, but this is simply a necessary consequence of society. A single casual conversation with an officer is often all it takes to change the perceptions and attitudes of the students. This exchange of words could help establish more cooperation, and a better, safer environment for all. 

All progress starts as just an idea. This column will be developing ideas for change, and hopefully starting a ripple effect to help improve Plymouth State. If there is a change you would like to see happen, and want it featured in this column, please send an email to sdmcglynn@plymouth.edu.