The police officers and cadets that Wayne State students commonly see behind the wheels of their cars or walking around campus are definitely keeping an eye out for offenders.
However, students should not forget how technology is used by the Wayne State police department to maintain campus safety.
After working for the WSU police for 33 years, Lt. David Scott of the crime prevention department is embracing the advantages technology, like the advanced dispatch system, brings the department.
“The dispatcher area is the nerve system of the entire department,” Scott said. “All we need is a camera shot of the car’s registration number to link us to its owner within seconds.”
WSU is home to 24-hour security surveillance. Though there may not be police officers or cadets monitoring every area on campus, there are definitely security cameras. The eyes behind the security cameras are the police dispatchers who control the system.
“There’s always something going on,” according to Leon Thomas, senior control expert of the dispatch system. “But then there are times when you wish nothing happens.”
Thomas knows that if his concentration breaks he could misinform an incoming radio message from a police officer, who may need a profile check. For Thomas, the key is to stay focused no matter how he feels.
One of the most used technologies is the police car. Before officers begin their shifts, they have to perform routine checkups on the cars.
“Making sure that everything is properly working in the car is a standard thing to do,” said Rohit Joshi, the department’s field trainer officer.
Wayne State police cars have various devices in them, like the Radar Antenna, which determines how fast a person is driving. Each car also has a vital tool called the Automated External Defibrillator. The AED sends electric shocks to the heart.
“With the AED, police officers can restart someone’s heart beat before the paramedics arrive,” Scott said. “A police officer once used it on a taxi cab driver during a car accident. It helped save his life.”
The WSUPD continues to provide its officers with efficient technology by also arming them with the best weapons. After the Virginia Tech shootings, college campuses throughout the country decided that it was time for officers to have stronger weapons. Wayne State purchased standard Remington shotguns.
“Bullets from a shotgun only travel 30 to 50 yards, compared to the shots fired from a Remington shotgun, which travel 200 yards,” Scott said.
He emphasized that an officer must be fully trained before using the weapon. The difficult part about training is that it requires perfection.
“They cannot afford to miss,” Scott said. “So, when officers are tested on using the weapon, they must receive a score of 100 percent. A 99 percent will not get them certified.”
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