By Steve Klamkin, WPRO News
After years of discussion, campus police at the University of Rhode Island will be issued firearms for the first time, as of May 8.
URI President David M. Dooley approved the shift to armed campus police, “particularly in light of the recent officer-involved shootings and use of excess force reports across the country.”
Director of Public Safety at URI Stephen Baker pointed to a reported threat in April, 2013 when an unfounded report of an armed gunman at Chafee Hall on the Kingston campus prompted a response from armed officers from local municipalities and the State Police.
“It just highlighted the need to have our police be able to be first responders for all types of incidents,” Baker said.
He said officers underwent extensive training, and will be issued .357 caliber Sig Sauer P226 pistols, effective Friday, May 8. He said there are no plans to add more powerful weapons.
Baker said 26 of the department’s 28 sworn officers will carry the sidearms. He added that one has yet to be certified,the other declined to carry a firearm. He does not think arming the officers will change their approach to policing the campus.
“No, I don’t think so. Our officers have a lot of experience in de-escalating situations and just having a new tool on their belt is not going to change the way they do their job.”
