The debate about police discretion and minor in possession of alcohol citations continued between members of the Task Force on Student-Police Relations on Friday.

With only one meeting remaining this semester, group members are trying to finalize solutions to problems relating to education and outreach, minority issues and issues with safety and privacy.

The task force was appointed following the recommendations of an independent panel created to investigate the placement of an undercover officer into United Students Against Sweatshops, now called Students for Economic Justice, beginning Feb. 19, 2000.

The group dealing with education, communication and outreach is working on a list of suggestions such as ride-alongs and education seminars to improve relations.

Group members said they want to create a way to explain to students that the law sees only right and wrong - no maybes or exceptions.

Students receive mixed messages about how to drink responsibly instead of not drinking illegally, said Marti Ruel, director of Department of Student Life.

Although she supports responsibility-based education, Ruel said it causes tension between police and students.

“Given where students are in this dualistic world, there is a right and a wrong - but they’re taught if it’s going to be wrong, they can do it responsibly,” she said. “We have the Jekyll and Hyde, cat and mouse cartoon going on.

“Students see shades of gray. Police don’t.”

But if police use more discretion when handing out citations, they’re doing more than enforcing the law, said Fred Poston, vice president for finance and operations.

“There’s a lot of serious consequences of this behavior,” Poston said. “A lot of people in our society can’t make a realistic choice and we’re having a huge amount of problems. I need the police to enforce the law - not be the judge and jury.

“I don’t want to live in that kind of a mess.”

Group members focusing on minority issues said they want to see action implemented by spring semester to provide more campus venues for minority groups.

Because many minority groups do not have houses or guaranteed meeting places, difficulty providing the required number of police officers makes sponsoring an organized event even more difficult, they said.

“I want to see some of these solutions becoming actions - not just paper,” said telecommunication junior Donald Lovell, a task force member. “(Current regulations) can totally affect an organization or community.”

To share comments, questions and criticism, visit the Task Force on Student-Police Relations Web site, www.taskforce.msu.edu, or send an e-mail to the University Committee on Student Affairs at ucas@msu.edu.