First campus forum held about possible arming of police

The first of three scheduled campus forums to discuss the possibility of arming UO police officers was Monday evening.  At the Global Scholars Hall, approximately 50 people attended the session including UO students, faculty, staff and community members. 

After introductory comments from Jamie Moffitt, vice president for finance and administration, and UO President Michael Gottfredson, leaders from UO’s police department described how campus safety services could be expanded to include responding to domestic disputes, transporting suspects to jail, conducting traffic stops and serving arrest or search warrants at residences among other activities if they are permitted to carry firearms. Interim Chief Carolyn McDermed and Capt. Pete Deshpande described their law enforcement backgrounds and shared information about how UOPD prioritizes its services to meet the needs of campus. 

Attendees asked questions about officer training, criminal activity on campus, jurisdiction on and off campus, and services not provided currently.

Also in attendance were representatives from the Eugene Police Department and Lane County Sheriff’s Office, and Alex Gardner, district attorney for Lane County, who shared information about criminal activity in the local area. 

Upcoming opportunities to learn more and join the discussion are here.

Comments can also be sent to campuspolicing@uoregon.edu.

Additional stories and information about the issue are available at: around.uoregon.edu/campus-policing.