Although the Student Affairs’ Student Advisory Board expressed several concerns about the performance of University Police, the concerns are not indicative of considerable malpractice, according to Eugene Dial, vice president for student affairs.According to the University Committee Reports, students expressed such concerns as officers not having schedules for campus events, not showing up when their presence was requested ahead of time, refusing to open doors to academic buildings or gymnasiums, not unlocking cars or jump-starting car batteries upon request, not responding promptly to student fights and not displaying a student-oriented attitude.

“I don’t think it’s a sudden rush of complaints,” Dial said. “These student leaders (of Student Affairs’ Student Advisory Board) are invited to come get feedback about anything they wanted to talk about, and the complaints about the University Police were just one among many things that were suggested.”

Dial said Student Affairs takes the concerns made by the advisory board, contacts the appropriate people in the areas where complaints or suggestions have been made. Those people are asked to respond, and Dial then reports the information back to the students who made the suggestions.

“On the issue of opening facilities to people on a timely basis, there was a discussion between me and the chief as to obtaining the schedules of activities far enough in advance so that the police have facilities ready rather than being asked to have to open the facility,” Dial said.

Craig Jacuzzo, chief of University Police, said the University Police ask for a two-week notice for scheduled events.

“I know since I’ve been here, a lot of things have been coming at the last minute,” Jacuzzo said. “It’s just a little scheduling conflict or a little scheduling that we’re trying to tweak out to make sure that we have it planned enough in advance so we have the appropriate security that’s needed.”

According to Dial, University police have keys to nearly every place on campus. The University administration is trying to figure out which specific officer did not have keys and address him since all police should have a set of master keys in case of emergencies.

“The issue of changing flat tires (was because) the officers here believed that it was a liability for them to change flat tires and that the University had policies,” Jacuzzo said. “I looked into it, made inquiries to Student Affairs, and come to find out, it wasn’t. Now they do those things.”

Jacuzzo said he also recently issued a general procedure for officers to assist all stranded motorists or anyone who needs service from University police as quickly as possible.

“The police are supposed to jump-start batteries and unlock cars, but it depends on what else is happening,” Dial said. “If you call and say ‘I locked my keys in my car,’ and the officer is at the highway directing traffic, an officer is going to respond but only after he has finished what he was originally doing.”

According to Dial, Judy Daniels, dean of student life, and Jacuzzo have been having training sessions with University Police staff to emphasize the importance of being consumer-friendly and “the point just has to be driven home” that the faculty is here to serve the University community, which should be done in a pleasant and respectful manner.

According to Jacuzzo, University Police answers immediately to Student Life and ultimately to Student Affairs.

“I get in touch with Dean Daniels in the beginning of the day and in the afternoon, and every Tuesday I have a staff meeting with her,” Jacuzzo said.

“I think the University Police’s presence alone helps prevent more crimes, and I don’t think that people realize if you don’t have a police force, crimes will occur more often compared to if they have an active presence. I haven’t known of any major crises that have come up, but I think that if one does, (University Police) will probably do well,” Tristan Robert, marine biology sophomore from Natchitoches, said.

“Without (University Police), regular city police would have to come in and answer a lot of calls,” Tamara Caillouet, freshman from Nachitoches, said.

“Some of (the calls) are not ones you need to call city police for, and it’s definitely better to have campus police because they can respond faster, and they give an overall sense of safety on campus. I think it’s very wonderful.”

Jacuzzo said he believes the police department has made great strives from where they once were, including implementing a hotline, investigating crimes with an investigator and arresting people who would only give the University an “eye sore.”

“I don’t think (the suggestions made by the Student Affairs Advisory Board) are anything abnormal,” Dial said. “I think it’s just a way for the University to find out whatever the concerns are and to try to improve upon them in the University community.”

Jacuzzo said the University Police are a “great bunch of people” and maintain the same trainings and certifications that city, local and state officers do.

Dial said feedback and suggestions from students are welcomed at all times because there is always room for improvement.

“The (University police) have a motto: commitment of service to the leaders of today and tomorrow,” Jacuzzo said. “We’re here to make sure that (students) are safe and secure and give them a proper learning environment to reach their goals and, at the same time, to respect others in the University community.