URI Plans to Arm Campus Police by January 2015
Friday, May 23, 2014
It's official. URI will be arming its campus police officers.
University of Rhode Island President David Dooley has announced that it plans to arm campus police officers by the beginning of 2015. As part of an implementation plan developed by URI Vice President Christina Valentino and Director of Public Safety Stephen Baker, the University will take several steps to authorize officers to carry firearms on campus.
URI officials say the process will begin this summer as officers will undergo background checks. In addition, they will be recertified to use pepper spray, batons and other non-lethal weapons. Starting in the fall, the officers will receive 80 hours of firearms training under the supervision of Rhode Island State Police.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTOther procedures will include mental health training as officers will be instructed on how to identify a person with mental illness.
During the summer, the University plans to begin purchasing firearms, holsters and magazine pouches and then build a secure storage area in January.
Last year, the State Board of Education voted to approve URI police to carry firearms.
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