 | Board of Visitors minutes October 12, 1957 |  |
POLICE APPOINTMENTS
The President then brought to the attention of the Board the matter of the
University Police. He reminded the Board that several years ago it appeared
necessary and advisable for the University to establish its own police force to
protect the buildings and grounds of the University and to keep order. Such a
force was established, and its members were appointed by the Circuit Court of
Albemarle County under the provisions of Sections 15-562-64, 15-569-70 of the Code
of Virginia, 1950. However, these code sections required that the persons
appointed must be qualified voters and actual residents of Albemarle County.
The President reported that while the procedure above outlined had been fairly
satisfactory, he had found increasing difficulty in obtaining qualified men who
were residents of Albemarle County. In addition some question had been raised as
to the power of the University police to act inside the City limits of
Charlottesville. Unfortunately the power of appointment of such special police,
under the statutes above referred to, is confined to the Circuit Court and no such
power of appointment existed for the Corporation Court of a City.
The President reported the matter had been referred to Mr. Minor, the
University's special counsel, who had advised that, under the provisions of Section
18-17 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as recently amended, and under Section 18-19
thereof, both the Circuit and Corporation Courts, upon application by the Board of
Visitors, were empowered to appoint conservators of the peace and police to police
the grounds of the University of Virginia, who need not be qualified voters and
whose residence could be anywhere in the Commonwealth. A plan had been worked out
with the Judges of both courts whereby identical orders would be entered appointing
the City and County. The President explained, however, that in the opinion of the
University's special counsel, the Board should adopt a resolution authorizing him,
as such counsel, to apply on behalf of the Board to both Courts for the appointment
of the persons to act as conservators of the peace and police
A draft of the Court orders above referred to as prepared by Mr. Minor were
submitted to the meeting
After discussion, upon motion, duly seconded and adopted, it was
RESOLVED, that C. Venable Minor, Special Counsel of the University of
Virginia, be and he hereby is, authorized and empowered to apply to the
Circuit Court of Albemarle County and to the Corporation Court of the
City of Charlottesville, or to the judges thereof in vacation, in the
name and on behalf of the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia
for appointment of conservators of the peace and police, for the
protection of the grounds and buildings of the University of Virginia
located in the County of Albemarle and the City of Charlottesville
| Board of Visitors minutes October 12, 1957 | |