CCRI, RIC Oppose Push To Arm Campus Police

PROVIDENCE, RI — A North Providence representative is continuing his push to arms police officers at Rhode Island's public colleges and universities. The schools were mandated to submit reports to the legislature discussing the issue, due in time for the start of the 2020 session this week.

Rep. William O'Brien said he would be reintroducing the bill after reviewing the reports.

"This bill is about nothing more than the safety and protection of the students, faculty, and staff at our public colleges," O'Brien, a democrat, said. "I know this is a difficult topic for some to discuss, but in a world of active shooters and terrible tragedies determined by seconds and minutes, it is completely irresponsible for us to fail our students and staff by having to rely on off-campus law enforcement if the worst case scenario should happen on our public campuses."

At this time, the University of Rhode Island is the only public school with armed officers. The school implemented the policy in 2015. Rhode Island College and the Community College of Rhode Island does not have armed officers.

Brown University, a private school, has also armed its officers. Private colleges and universities would not be impacted by the legislation.

In their reports, CCRI and RIC said it would cost approximately $200,000 to train and arm their campus officers, adding that they were reluctant to do so. Top officials from both schools have openly criticized the legislation in the past.

URI, meanwhile, said it was the "correct policy" based on safety concerns and procedures.

"I would suggest that both the presidents of RIC and CCRI request the proper funding to enact this proposal when the state budget is crafted," O'Brien said in response to the funding concerns. "As a member of the House Finance Committee, I will be advocating for this funding to be included in the state budget. We live in a dangerous world that is not getting any more safe, so a one-time cost of $400,000 is a worth-while expenditure to ensure the safety and well-being of anyone who steps on a public campus."

"Although it is utterly disturbing to acknowledge, active shooter situations are not going away in our society, and most often, targets of these vile crimes are schools," he continued. "It is because of this that I believe police officers at both RIC and CCRI should be allowed to carry firearms in order to protect students, faculty, staff and the public. This is not a political or philosophical argument, but a realization of the troubling times our country currently faces. Total safety of the campuses is my only concern."