U. Police buys paddy wagon

In a move that made several University Police officers "really happy," University Police bought its first paddy wagon last week, according to David Ball, president of the University's chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police. Although the wagon is not yet fully detailed for University Police, it should be ready to hit the streets in the next few weeks, he said. The wagon was purchased after a series of meetings between University Police Chief George Clisby and FOP Chief Shop Steward and University Police officer Peggy O'Malley. "It addresses some of the officers' concerns and those of student advocates for Penn Police," Ball said. "All the members [of the FOP] are happy about the wagon." Ball added that he would like to thank students who petitioned University Police to purchase better equipment for the officers, such as the wagon. He said officers wanted University Police to buy the wagon because the transportation of criminals often ties up many of the patrol cars that could otherwise patrol campus. In addition, Ball said most University Police cars have a steel mesh between the back seat and the front seat, allowing people who are arrested to spit at the officers and try to irritate them while driving. This would not be possible in a wagon. University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich, who has been opposed to the idea of purchasing a wagon in the past, would not comment for this article. Undergraduate Assembly Safety Committee member Lance Rogers said he considers safety on campus "priority one," and is happy the University finally purchased the wagon. "If we can spend $180,000 for President [Judith] Rodin's inauguration, then we can spend a little more to protect the streets," said Rogers, a College junior. "We spend $100,000 to go here, but it doesn't mean much if we can't leave here alive." Rogers said he considers the wagon a "great addition to our police force," and added, "I hope we can do some good with it." Other student leaders echoed his view. Graduate and Professional Students Assembly President David Mestre said he is happy University Police received at least one of the equipment improvements they have been asking for. "The University Police force deserves the best equipment that our resources can accommodate, and a paddy wagon is a step in the right direction," said Mestre, a fifth year Astronomy graduate student. "The challenge now is to find out what else needs to be done." Rogers said he is planning to meet with Kuprevich and members of the FOP to try to ascertain what more equipment University Police needs. Ball said University Police are still awaiting the arrival of new radios that enable the officers to hear calls put out on Philadelphia Police's radio frequency. He said the FOP has received several assurances that the equipment is on the way. A few officers already have these radios, but there are not enough for the entire force, he said. In addition, many University Police officers would like to have the option to have the same fire power as Philadelphia Police. Philadelphia Police officers currently have the option of carrying 9-millimeter semi-automatic handguns. "Hopefully we can make progress the same way with other equipment issues [like we did with the wagon]," Ball said.