Campus Police Certified

Pictured L to R (front row): Sgt. Elbert Williams, Lt. Chris Minor, Chief Lisa Pryse, Capt. Scott Holzshu, Officer Kenny Rickman, Officer Ron Reynolds; (back row): Sgt. Aaron Carver, Lt. Michael Prince, Sgt. Sylvester Johnson, Lt. Kevin Lamm, Sgt Philip VanRoekel, Detective Sgt. Wilton Perez, Officer Kenneth Holloman, Officer Randle Lassiter, Lt. Ryan Tanner, Officer Jason Alwood, Officer Dennis Mack, Lt. David Allen. (Not pictured: Officer Linda Wiggs, Capt. David Shick)

"Policing by fear is easy.  Conducting law enforcement in the manner that uses intellect, denotes respect and incorporates force only as a last resort is much more difficult.  Some of us may recall when President John F. Kennedy asked, 'Why did Americans choose to go to the moon? We chose to go to the moon not because it was easy, but because it was difficult.' It is my belief that the officers undertaking this challenge today do so for the same reason: because it is difficult.  Thank you for taking that challenge."

These were the words of Lisa Pryse, director of Public Safety and Chief of Campus Police during the July 22 ceremony when 21 public safety officers were sworn in and took oath to serve as WakeMed Campus Police.  On the surface, this may not be a momentous occasion, but to our police force and to WakeMed, it truly does make a difference.

WakeMed chose to take the necessary steps to be certified as Campus Police - a distinction few North Carolina hospitals have - to be able to provide WakeMed a wider range of safety services.  This change is significant because it expands the department's jurisdiction beyond our property to the streets contiguous to WakeMed properties and makes the department eligible for federal and state grants related to law enforcement, narcotics enforcement and related equipment.  It enables the department to work more closely, and even assist, the municipal police departments through mutual aid agreements.

The officers who took the oath are now required to complete more intense physical conditioning and additional training, and they will be allowed to use special weapons and tactics.  The department will now have access to the FBI crime information network.

The process to achieve "Campus Police" status began after September 11, 2001, when terrorists attacked the United States.  Pryse says, "Police and hospital response was forever changed after that event.  WakeMed made changes as well.  This certification is a step on the ladder to strengthening our safety system."

The final push for the change to Campus Police was in 2003 when Dr. Bill Atkinson, WakeMed president and CEO, encouraged WakeMed employees to become leaders in the community.  Dr. Atkinson's vision for the Public Safety department included greater coordination with community partners for disaster preparedness.

"This is not only a great step for us, but also for WakeMed," says Pryse.  "I'm proud of everyone, especially the officers, who helped us achieve this goal."

Jane Perlov, Chief of Police for the City of Raleigh, and Donnie Harrison, Sheriff of Wake County, joined other local and state law enforcement officials attending the swearing-in ceremony.