LIFESTYLE: Police Academy

After hittingAfter hittingthe streets,After hittingthe streets,these cops hitAfter hittingthe streets,these cops hitthe books After a long shift patrolling campus, many University Police officers trade in their ticket books for textbooks. Like all University employees, University Police officers can take two free classes each semester. Those who take advantage of this opportunity find themselves in the dual role of police officer and student. While this may complicate their jobs, most officers say it has made law enforcement easier for them. "Kids are more responsive to me because they know me and they know I'm doing my job," Officer Paul Misner said. Officer David Carroll agreed. "[Students are] much more respectful toward me than the officers they don't know," he said. "I've gone to frat parties and asked them to lower the music and they do -- no questions asked." University Police Chief George Clisby believes that interaction in the classroom "gives each an opportunity to develop some common ground?and extend the relationship between public safety and the community." "I am a proponent of education," he said. "I think that any opportunity for school and training helps develop not only students but employees as well. "And I would certainly like to see more of our people take advantage of a very valuable privilege that the University permits," Clisby added. Officers said they also enjoy getting to know students personally, as this alleviates the animosity between students and authority figures. Officer Andrew "Happy" Molloy said that officers have even dated students, but that "it's not a problem." "But if students are doing something illegal you have to do your job," he said. However, being both a police officer and a student has not yet presented a conflict of interest for him. "I know a lot of students on a first name basis," he said. "Nobody has ever tried to take advantage of my position." Carroll said he has experienced several on-the-job benefits from knowing students. When called to the scene of a complaint about a suspicious person, Carroll was able to verify that the suspicious person was a student, because Carroll knew him from class. Carroll said students also call him on the telephone, send him electronic mail and speak to him directly about personal problems or concerns. "Classmates call me if they don't know what to do or don't feel comfortable talking to other officers," he said. "Anyone who wants to talk to me can feel free. "I requested foot duty because I love to interact with students," he added. "I try to take community policing to another level." Students also find such relationships beneficial. "I get positive feedback from students," he said. "Kids have come looking for me on Parents' Weekend to introduce me to their families." Misner agreed. "Students are more comfortable dealing with me because they know me," he said. "I take a more personal interest in their case." While Molloy said his relationships with students have not been as extensive, he said students are "supportive -- even jealous because they're paying such big money [and the University pays for my tuition]." Police Dispatcher Monique Upshur said she has noticed a difference in the way students treat her while she is on the job as opposed to in the classroom. "People don't treat me as a person [when] I have a uniform on," she said. "People really have a chip on their shoulder." She added that students are "much nicer" to her when she is in the classroom. All the officers admit that the educational opportunity of the University is the reason they chose to work here. Officers must apply to the University to take classes. Misner said he knows of people being turned down because of a waiting list for public safety jobs. He said at first he had difficulties with the administration while trying to get into the Wharton School, where he is now majoring in Strategic Management and Operations and Information Management. Currently, Misner is receiving two independent study credits for developing an information data base system for the Victim Support Center. He is working with Associate Professor of Operations and Information Management Steven Kimbrough. "It was nice to see [Officer Misner] get into this," Kimbrough said. "It's rewarding to see someone apply the [coursework] -- it's one of the joys of teaching." Misner admits that he would "like to keep [his] options open" for the future, but added that he really enjoys his present job. Upshur said she is also happy with the education she is getting. "It's cool, it's a great deal," she said. "I can't wait to graduate, though." She added that she plans to leave the University after graduating. "I'd like to work for a cable company," she said. "I'd rather be in front of the camera than behind it, but I'll take what I can get." None of the officers showed any lack of enthusiasm or loyalty to their jobs, although a few plan to leave upon graduation. "I won't be staying here," Molloy said. "I applied to some law schools. [Being a security officer] doesn't have the job security -- no pun intended with 'security.' " He added that taking classes is "a big incentive for people to work at the University." He complained, though, that "the teachers should work on their teaching skills. [College of General Studies] sucks!" Nevertheless, Clisby's experience in the Dynamics of Organization -- a professionally-oriented graduate program offered by the Graduate School of Education -- was a positive one. "[It] broadened my perspective as a manager in a service-oriented organization," he said. "I've been enlightened by the magnitude of this curriculum. It's not traditional -- it's not a banking theory with a professor lecturing." In terms of student-officer relations, Clisby is very enthusiastic, insisting that "the classroom creates a positive arena for debate and the dissemination of ideas and can only help us develop an appreciation for each other. "But as a night student you miss the social experience of a college," he added. That was not the only complaint from officers. Molloy said that employee benefits should cover the graduate schools as well, and that employees must take classes in the College of General Studies before transferring to The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences or The Nursing School. Molloy said he was not told this before accepting the job. Richard Hendrix, CGS dean, stated that he was not aware this was the case. But he admitted that "there has been a tendency at Penn for employees to be told they can be in CGS, but they have to be admitted first." He added that "Penn supports it's employee study program," but said the benefits do not cover taking classes at other universities -- even though Molloy originally believed this was an option. "I planned on continuing attending classes at St. Joe's, but the University wouldn't [pay for it]," Molloy said. "And they didn't accept many credits either." In general, the main complaint was the difficulty in managing a full-time job and schoolwork. Upshur admitted that "it's hard as hell working a full-time job and taking classes." Misner said he often plans his vacation time around his exams to make things a bit easier. But Kimbrough said he remembers him being extremely tired in class "because he was up all night." Molloy complained that taking classes and working full-time "interferes with your social life." "It requires a bit of time," admitted Clisby. "I admire the working person who is set on continuing their education." But the time commitment is probably the reason more employees do not take advantage of the benefits. Molloy estimated that only 10 or 12 people in the department -- of around 90 -- actually take classes. "We have a good nucleus of employees," Clisby said. "I'd like to see them continue to develop."