How long have you been with OSUPD? How long have you been part of the Joint Patrol Program?
I started with OSUPD in 2000 as a dispatcher, then transitioned to being a police officer in 2004. After many years and fulfilling several roles at OSUPD, I transitioned to the Joint Patrol program in 2022. It’s been a rewarding 3 years. For those that do not know, our joint patrol program has 4 OSUPD officers partnered with Columbus Police officers to patrol and respond off-campus where many students live. This is above and beyond the regular city police patrols. It is typically outside our jurisdiction but our important partnership with the city allows us to have these added resources for the neighborhood. We’ve also added lights, cameras and license plate readers off-campus.
Why do you enjoy being part of the Joint Patrol program?
It is a unique experience that provides an opportunity for me to serve the university community in a way that I had not been able to do. I enjoy the challenge of balancing all the functions of the program while still being able to provide a high level of service to our students who live outside of Ohio State property. The support we receive from university leadership and Columbus Police administration has been important.
How is Joint Patrol different than traditional patrol?
Traditional patrol work in Columbus sometimes has a backlog of pending calls for service that officers need to respond to. The Joint Patrol program has a narrower focus of attention to our students needs as well as the university community. This narrower focus gives Joint Patrol more time to be able to follow through and follow-up on calls that otherwise would not get the depth of response from general patrol officers. Joint Patrol has more time to develop meaningful connections with our community. These connections lead to a high level of trust and cooperation with the public.
In what ways does the Joint Patrol Program support both OSUPD and CPD in achieving their goals, enhancing campus safety and effectively carrying out their duties?
OSUPD and CPD both have unique needs. The Joint Patrol program is an excellent tool to be able to utilize the strengths of each agency. Sharing resources and information between both departments allows for the best possible service to the community. Columbus Police have vast resources in personnel and equipment that are often utilized by the OSUPD. The OSUPD communication center’s ability to review video footage across the campus area is unrivaled. During critical incidents, the communications center has provided critical information to both agencies in real-time. This collaborative effort maximizes safety for both the university and Columbus.
What’s unique about policing at Ohio State?
The most unique feature of policing at Ohio State is the depth of connection we can achieve with the community. All the community events we can attend allow for us to really get to know the people we serve, and equally important, allows for the community to get to know the police. The best possible outcomes occur when the community and the police work together.
Why do you serve?
I’ve been called by a higher power to serve others. From serving our country overseas, teaching various outdoor activities to children and adults, or lending a hand to a neighbor or a friend, serving others is in my blood.