The East Lansing Police Department is out in full force to improve communication with the students it protects.
Citing some difficult times during the past few years, the city’s blue is searching for ways to improve relations with students. The police force is trying to improve dialogue by meeting with students at its monthly Police/Student Relations Committee meetings.
The meetings offer students opportunities to voice concerns and ask questions from members of the city police force at a different location each month. The officers hope their advice and explanations help the students to better understand the force.
“This gives me an opportunity to listen to what is on the mind of students at MSU,” Police Chief Louis Muhn said Monday to more than 50 students at a meeting at Pi Beta Phi’s sorority house.
“This is your opportunity to ask us questions; service is what we are all about.”
In the past, police used these meetings as forums for discussion on such events as the Munn field riot, and the March 27-28, 1999, riot. Most recently, students have discussed concerns with parking tickets, strife between fraternities and another possible trip to the Final Four.
After five years of meetings, Muhn said the size of the crowd varies depending on the issues at stake, but the department plans to increase attendance by holding the meetings to fraternity and sorority houses.
“This is my first meeting and I loved it, I thought it was great,” said supply chain management senior Andy Romanosky, a member of the Interfraternity Council. “I hope more people start to take advantage of this because it is a great thing to create relations.”
Students see results from their suggestions at the meetings, too. In a fall meeting, students noted that some lights on campus were burnt out. Police responded by notifying MSU of the problem.
“I need to hear from people if our officers are giving them good service. It is very important, not only for our image, but for what we do,” Muhn said. “We are public servants and this is what we should be doing - we should be getting out and hearing the community’s concerns, comments and compliments.”
The department is encouraging individuals to get involved with other police and community projects, like the Citizen’s Police Academy. The academy gives citizens the opportunity to view many facets of police work, helping them to gain better understanding of the force.
“One of the big things we’ve worked on in the past six months is our Citizen’s Police Academy. This is an excellent opportunity for members of the community to see how we operate,” Muhn said.
Police say students can help build ties by becoming involved in the Police Athletic Leagues, going for ridealongs in police cars or becoming police cadets.
Residents are convinced the efforts to improve relations will succeed.
“It is more on a proactive basis rather than confrontational,” Sigma Nu House Director Geri Willis said. “I think if you get to know one another, it is much easier.”
Sororities like Pi Beta Phi have achieved a better understanding of the police after recent meetings.
“Now we have a better idea of how it is organized. We are starting to get to know (student liaison officer) Larry (Sparks). He comes around and talks to us, and we are developing a more personal relationship with him,” interdisciplinary studies junior Danielle Heming said.
Sparks said interacting with the students has made his job easier.
“Students realize that we are people and we care what they have to say. If you are riding around all day with your windows rolled up, nobody knows you,” Sparks said. “But when you actually come here and you put a name with a face, that goes a long way.”
Those interested attending the committee’s next meeting, which is Feb. 19, can call the East Lansing Police Department at 337-1731 for more information.
