Column

USF didn't need study to see the problem

By SUE CARLTON
Published January 5, 2008

So a national security consultant hired by the University of South Florida tells administrators their police department has a big problem getting and keeping campus cops.

The December "Assessment of Campus Security" says lots of other interesting things, too, like how some rough neighborhoods around the school are potential trouble, and how staffing a police department to handle the sprawling Tampa campus is "an immediate and growing problem."

And right about now it's hard to resist a big fat: No way! You gotta be kidding me!

Over the past year, news stories have detailed numbers showing USF has significantly fewer officers per student than some other large Florida universities. This fall, students staged a sit-in to voice concerns about campus safety.

The problem? Like most schools, USF competes with bigger cop shops. USF's starting pay is about $4,000 less than what Tampa police make. What's more, USF no longer offers a "step" plan for regular raises over time. People leave. Positions go vacant.

USF officials bristle at the suggestion they're not responsive, pointing to recent stepped-up recruiting efforts. They hired unarmed guards who, yes, increase security on campus but still aren't real cops. More encouragingly, they created a public safety division with a director to coordinate police, security, transportation and parking. They say they will carefully consider the consultant's recommendations, which include everything from more minority hiring to arming officers with Tasers.

Here's a key point from the report: Hiring and retention of police personnel is an immediate and growing problem brought about, in part, by a noncompetitive compensation package.

The report also says: The University is completely open to the surrounding neighborhoods, some of which have significant violent crime rates and illegal drug activity.

Also: Currently, the department is understaffed for the policing program they would like to deliver to the university community. They have no surge capacity for special events and critical incidents. Personnel are being exhausted by overtime requirements.

Still, the report notes, The UP has a very high approval rating from the university community for their service and professionalism. Complaints against police are very low. The words "innovative," "knowledgeable" and "professional" are in there, too.

Even if the report says what some people already knew, getting an objective, independent view was a good idea, particularly because contract talks between USF administrators and police union leaders have hit an impasse.

But the report's in. Let's do something about it.

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In a recent column on doings in Panama City after the boot camp trial, I referred to a Panama City News Herald poll in which most respondents felt embattled Medical Examiner Charles Siebert was treated unfairly by the state board that voted not to keep him in the job. I also said the poll was suspended for reasons stated on the newspaper's Web site, because of posts containing profanity, poor taste and an inability to stay on topic. Folks at the News Herald tell me reader comments on all polls, and not just the one dealing with Siebert, were suspended for the above reasons.

[Last modified January 4, 2008, 23:53:39]