Hunter
08/13/21
The Reimagining Campus Safety Advisory Committee has released their report on how to best reform the University of Iowa Police Department.
KWWL TV reports that the report consists of input from Iowa City residents and the campus community over a roughly six month period.
Three proposed models were presented for reforming the UIPD; keeping the basic structure of the Department as is but adding diversity of crisis trainings; a reimagining of the Department and taking a new, holistic approach to campus safety; and leaving the UIPD basically the same with a review board added.
Of those who provided input, nearly 90 percent want the reimagining model going forward. Over 80 percent said they disliked the other two ideas.
The report also surveyed respondents about their views of the current UIPD. 61 percent of the males surveyed said they felt safe around university police, while just 46 percent of the females and 32 percent of non-binary or transgender respondents felt safe.
The report also made two dozen recommendations, calling for more support services funding, using officers only in more serious situations, and employing mental health professionals to work directly with the Department.
It was also recommended that a review board be set up to report to UI President Barbara Wilson, review UIPD data, and recommend changes if needed.
The TV station reports that none of the changes are final until Wilson signs off on them, which she is expected to do sometime this fall.