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17 July 1998 Vol. II, No. 2 Feature Article Community policing part of comprehensive safety system on campus Meet Robert Shea, new BUPD chief by Brian Fitzgerald Robert Shea became chief of the Boston University Police Department just two months ago, but to be sure, he is no stranger to BU -- or to running a police force. He has been deputy chief of the BUPD for the past 6 years, and before that, he headed the police department in Belmont, Mass., for 12 years. Shea believes in the old-school philosophy of law enforcement that emphasizes community policing. This includes foot patrols, crime prevention education for students and staff, and a safety network that links each of BU's major operating departments. "Police visibility equals a reduction in crime," he says. "Recently, we have increased our 'walk and talk' patrols not only on the Charles River Campus, but also on the Medical Campus." Every day, students and staff can also see this community policing concept on the sidewalks of Commonwealth Avenue and other streets in the form of bicycle patrols, 60 emergency blue-light telephones, and the escort security service van. BUPD officers also attend many residence association meetings. The safety network Shea speaks of includes the Office of the Vice President and Dean of Students, the Office of Residence Life, counseling services at BU, the Office of Government and Community Affairs, the University Task Force on Violence and Harassment, and the University's other security operations. Shea won't take offense if you call his methods old-fashioned, he says -- they worked in the past, and they are still effective today. Indeed, cities and towns across the country have reinstated foot patrols with much success. And as for BU, its safety program was recently rated 3.9 out of 4.0 in USA Today's nationwide campus safety survey. The University also received the 1996 Jeanne Clery National Safe Campus Award, one of only two American colleges to receive this honor. BUPD Deputy Chief Enrico Cappucci (left) and Chief Robert Shea bring a total of 65 years of law enforcement experience to their new positions. Boston University Photo Services "Police training is another component that the University takes very seriously," says Shea. "Every officer must receive at least 40 hours of classroom instruction a year, as well as firearms training twice a year." Unlike in the 1970s and 1980s, on-the-job police education in the 1990s covers a wide curriculum, including handling hazardous materials, collecting physical and scientific evidence, and even identifying cult recruiting on campus. BUPD officers, who handle about 15 medical emergency calls a week, are also trained to avoid contracting blood-borne diseases while administering first aid. "Boston University Police officers have a lot experience, and that's one of the strengths of our force," says Shea, who points out that the BUPD's new deputy chief, Enrico Cappucci, before becoming a Boston University Police captain in 1986, headed the Shirley, Mass., police force for four years, and then served as chief of the Duxbury, Mass., Police Department for a decade. Shea sees some similarities between the BUPD's responsibilities and those of his old force, the Belmont Police Department. Boston University's 58 Police Academy- trained officers are charged with protecting a community of 29,000 students and 7,000 employees on the Charles River and Medical campuses. Belmont, with a population of 27,000, has a police force that consists of 64 officers. In terms of crime, "Belmont gets a little bit of what a big city gets a lot of," he says. The same with BU, which is in New England's largest city. The University's campus crime rate is only 3.6 crimes per 1,000 people, compared to the U.S. crime rate of 30.5 crimes per 1,000. Crimes against property make up 95 percent of BU's reported incidents. "Our crime rate is extremely low," Shea says, "but we'll continue to be vigilant, especially in the area of dating violence." He explains that the Massachusetts domestic abuse prevention law, which was originally designed to protect married people, was revised in 1991 to protect dating partners. "The law change enables police officers to make arrests without being held liable," says Shea. "In fact, if there is evidence of abuse, the officer is required to make an arrest." One major difference between Belmont and BU, of course, is the number of college students -- and the problems that arise on campus when students drink. Shea is particularly happy with a recent Boston Globe editorial on college drinking, which praised Boston University for forming effective partnerships with Boston police and licensing officials and enforcing its policies by inspecting off-campus housing. "That's what the community policing concept is all about," he says. "Joe Walsh, the University's director of community relations, is part of BU's safety network. He pays a visit to a party and makes sure it doesn't get out of control. And if it does, the offending students will face sanctions from the Dean of Students Office and possible criminal prosecution." "We look at law enforcement this way," says Cappucci. "We're managers, and our product is peace and tranquillity. Robert Shea and I come from towns whose police departments reached out to serve the people," he says, "and we haven't changed that philosophy."