University of Virginia Library

Security Director Seeks
'Enlightened Operation'

By Dan Dean

"We don't have police officers"on the Grounds to keep the students
in line; this is up to the administration."

A contradictory statement? Not
at all, according to Mr. W. Wade
Bromwell, the University's director
of security. A former FBI agent,
Mr. Bromwell envisions his Department
of Security as an agency actively
involved in supplying various
services throughout the University
community, if asked to list these
services a UVa student might mention
the more obvious functions of
traffic control and Grounds patrol.
In addition to co-ordinating intra-University
mail service, however,
the department annually handles
some six thousand investigative
cases.

Observing the nature of Security's
main agency, the Division of
Police provides some realistic and
surprisingly human insights into
both the theories and practice of
law enforcement. "A University
policeman wears two hats," states
Mr. Bromwell. "An officer wears
one hat, the hat of investigation,
when patrolling a building; he
wears another hat, that of law enforcement,
when he sees a legal violation
occur."

The Division's active force of
twenty-two members patrols the
Grounds at all times. Most common
offenses are those of petty theft,
usually involving personal property.
Believing the Honor system to be a
valuable tradition, Mr. Bromwell
regrets that the vast majority of
thefts are committed by non-UVa
personnel, those who are not
subject to the penalties imposed by
the System. "The buildings are
open to people, to transients as well
as local residents."

The Jurisdiction of University
police emerges as a rather fluid
concept. As a rule there is no patrolling
done off the Grounds;
Charlottesville authorities are therefore
responsible for policing adjacent
areas such as Rugby Road
and Madison "Mad" Lane. Mr.
Bromwell terms this "separate jurisdiction"
However, in circumstances
wherein the welfare of the
University's property or students is
a factor, the officers exercise "concurrent
jurisdiction" with the municipal
police. By this reasoning
Charlottesville's force may supplement
the University Police upon
the latter's request. The final classification,
"continuing jurisdiction,"
may be best explained through the
case example of a northbound
speeder on US 29. When requested
by a neighboring municipality a
University officer may legally
apprehend that person.

Community Force

Although designed for an educational
institution the University
Police is comparable to a force in
any small community. Officers are
deputized through both Charlottesville
and Albemarle County authorities.
Procedural aspects such as
arrest and declaration of rights to
offenders are identical to methods
used by municipal agencies.

Mr. Bromwell maintains that
"we've got to professionalize law
enforcement." He further states
that education, particularly higher
education, is essential to achieve this
goal. For the most part University
policemen have been affiliated with
municipal departments; former
military men also comprise the UVa
force. For those without prior
experience the Security Department
operates an on-the-job training program.
Also included is a three week
course in residence at a central
police school elsewhere in Virginia.

Hindered Education

Paradoxically, the status of a
University policeman hinders rather
than facilitates his educational opportunities.
Under the federal
government's Law Enforcement
Education Program, collegiate
grants may be made only to those
policemen who are paid directly by
a municipality or state. Although
the University of Virginia is indeed
a state institution, members of the
University Police are paid by the
University rather than the state. Mr.
Bromwell, who finds this program
inequitable, believes that President
Nixon is currently considering the
possibility of requisite flaws in this
grant plan. "We are always striving
for more training and more efficient
police officers," says the
director. "With this combination
we can match a salary scale which
will allow us to remain competitive
in the area (Charlottesville) for the
better recruits. We could perform a
better service if we had more men.
The more buildings that are erected
the more problems we have."

Enlightenment

Mr. Bromwell's primary goal for
the Division of Police that of "an
enlightened operation. We must
meet with student groups to tell
them why we have a law enforcement
agency."