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Student protests, May-December 1971

1971-06-15 Iowa City Press-Citizen Reader's Comment Page 2

To the Editor: 
   I normally do not make public statements about my profession, or my employer's policies. But in view of the recent accusations against myself and my fellow officers by the Iowa City chief of police and Johnson County sheriff, it is time to set the public record straight.
   Although I have to agree with their thoughts in principle, their accusations were unfairly directed at the men wearing the uniform of the University Security Department. We of the department, have absolutely no voice in the policies of the University of Iowa, the Board of Regents, or the Iowa Legislature, other than those of an ordinary citizen. 
   At the head of the Security Department, which McCarney refers to as "Thirty-five meter maids," is a director, a bureaucratic university committee, at least a half dozen university officials, the university president, the Board of Regents, and the Iowa Legislature - most of all whom exhibit an almost complete lack of regard for the welfare, intelligence and abilities of the men whom they have so generously given the responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the university community.
   As for McCarney's statement that the "University Security is incapable of conducting its own investigations, or handling it's own paper work," he again is being misleading. Housed in our two post-war "little tin shacks," which are our department headquarters, we do not have space for our 35 officers, let alone the space for facilities and equipment that is necessary for conducting and processing routine police business. I might also add that we do not have the necessary equipment. Furthermore the business that we do conduct with the aid of city and county facilities is due mainly to our lack of facilities and our limited "campus jurisdiction."
   I am glad that Mr. (James) Hayes came to our defense, although I think he is being entirely too optimistic. The Security Department has had "police powers" for almost two years, and if all new police departments were as slow as the university to establish policies and procedures, the National Crime Index would be too high to measure. Our officers are sent to the same state training academy that the city and county officers attend. We are put in official-looking police uniforms with little tin badges, provided police vehicles, and given the power of arrest, then at the same time told, "in so many words," not to use any of these for their intended purposes.
   Due to what appears to be the university administration's policy of not accepting responsibility for anything and not treating the members of the university community the same as everyone else, subject to the rules and regulations of our society and its penalties for violating these rules we are forced to ignore flagrant violations of city and state laws which occur in our presence. We are told that because these violations do not occur on university property, we do not have jurisdiction. As for those violations which do occur on University property, we are expected to act without the aid and protection of such police equipment as nightsticks, handcuffs and sidearms, which are kept under lock and key, not available for our use. Therefore, our only recourse, outside of putting our own lives in unnecessary jeopardy, is to request the assistance of city officers, and hope they are willing and able to come to our assistance in time to do us and any other persons involved some good.
   My final point is in regard to the campus disturbances which occurred during the month of May in this city. The noticeable lack of presence of University Security personnel was due in my opinion, not to our lack of ability and willingness to handle and assist in handling the problems which arose, but due to the university officials' unwillingness to put the university's symbol of authority, mainly us, out in public view. In this way the university officials avoided being held responsible for the actions which we would have been directed, by the, to take.
   In closing, I would like to say that I both respect and welcome the constructive criticisms of Chief McCarney and Sheriff Schneider. I hope that in the future, they will direct their criticisms to the people who have the authority to straighten out this ridiculous situation. For I, in having chosen to pursue a career that involves helping and protecting my fellow man, would like to keep the odds of chance in my favor, while executing the duties necessary to my career in law enforcement.
Dwight Armstrong
Patrolman
University Security
2031 Ninth Street
Coralville


To the Editor:
   The story in the June 11 Press-Citizen, "Sheriff, Police Chief Rip Patrolmen and Campus Police," reported a childish outburst by Sheriff Schneider and Chief McCarney.
   Probably the police chief and sheriff were trying to cover up for their own ineptness during the student problems this spring when they spent about three nights trying to control and quiet the demonstrations with tear gas, spraying the gas even in dormitories where those not involved with the demonstration suffered and had to move out of their rooms. Such action on the part of the officers of the law is not the way to settle demonstrations, and only serve to stiffen student resistance. The Iowa Highway Patrol arrived and in one night had things under control, so I rather think, the proof of the criticism points, not at the Highway Patrol, but to Schneider and McCarney who demonstrated that they do not know how to handle such disturbances other than with the stick and tear gas guns.
   I have lived in Iowa City for 44 years, and I don't quite understand what the sheriff and the chief of police are trying to do to our beautiful city. If the newspapers are reporting the statement accurately, then they must have a great hatred or jealousy to make this violent verbal attack on the Highway Patrol. The only specific complaints expressed were that after arrests the Iowa City Police and sheriff's office had to process the prisoners and dispose of vehicles impounded by the state patrol. Is that not part of their sworn job? 
   When our city and county law officers revert to their childhood by shouting in a public meeting, perhaps they have need for some courses in behavior and human relations. If the City Council of Iowa City and the county supervisors do not investigate this dispute with the Iowa Highway Patrol and Campus Security, and take firm action, we shall face serious problems for years to come in Iowa City.

Lee W. Cochran
35 Olive Court

Saving...

To the Editor: I normally do not make public statements about my profession, or my employer's policies. But in view of the recent accusations against myself and my fellow officers by the Iowa City chief of police and Johnson County sheriff, it is time to set the public record straight. Although I have to agree with their thoughts in principle, their accusations were unfairly directed at the men wearing the uniform of the University Security Department. We of the department, have absolutely no voice in the policies of the University of Iowa, the Board of Regents, or the Iowa Legislature, other than those of an ordinary citizen. At the head of the Security Department, which McCarney refers to as "Thirty-five meter maids," is a director, a bureaucratic university committee, at least a half dozen university officials, the university president, the Board of Regents, and the Iowa Legislature - most of all whom exhibit an almost complete lack of regard for the welfare, intelligence and abilities of the men whom they have so generously given the responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the university community. As for McCarney's statement that the "University Security is incapable of conducting its own investigations, or handling it's own paper work," he again is being misleading. Housed in our two post-war "little tin shacks," which are our department headquarters, we do not have space for our 35 officers, let alone the space for facilities and equipment that is necessary for conducting and processing routine police business. I might also add that we do not have the necessary equipment. Furthermore the business that we do conduct with the aid of city and county facilities is due mainly to our lack of facilities and our limited "campus jurisdiction." I am glad that Mr. (James) Hayes came to our defense, although I think he is being entirely too optimistic. The Security Department has had "police powers" for almost two years, and if all new police departments were as slow as the university to establish policies and procedures, the National Crime Index would be too high to measure. Our officers are sent to the same state training academy that the city and county officers attend. We are put in official-looking police uniforms with little tin badges, provided police vehicles, and given the power of arrest, then at the same time told, "in so many words," not to use any of these for their intended purposes. Due to what appears to be the university administration's policy of not accepting responsibility for anything and not treating the members of the university community the same as everyone else, subject to the rules and regulations of our society and its penalties for violating these rules we are forced to ignore flagrant violations of city and state laws which occur in our presence. We are told that because these violations do not occur on university property, we do not have jurisdiction. As for those violations which do occur on University property, we are expected to act without the aid and protection of such police equipment as nightsticks, handcuffs and sidearms, which are kept under lock and key, not available for our use. Therefore, our only recourse, outside of putting our own lives in unnecessary jeopardy, is to request the assistance of city officers, and hope they are willing and able to come to our assistance in time to do us and any other persons involved some good. My final point is in regard to the campus disturbances which occurred during the month of May in this city. The noticeable lack of presence of University Security personnel was due in my opinion, not to our lack of ability and willingness to handle and assist in handling the problems which arose, but due to the university officials' unwillingness to put the university's symbol of authority, mainly us, out in public view. In this way the university officials avoided being held responsible for the actions which we would have been directed, by the, to take. In closing, I would like to say that I both respect and welcome the constructive criticisms of Chief McCarney and Sheriff Schneider. I hope that in the future, they will direct their criticisms to the people who have the authority to straighten out this ridiculous situation. For I, in having chosen to pursue a career that involves helping and protecting my fellow man, would like to keep the odds of chance in my favor, while executing the duties necessary to my career in law enforcement. Dwight Armstrong Patrolman University Security 2031 Ninth Street Coralville To the Editor: The story in the June 11 Press-Citizen, "Sheriff, Police Chief Rip Patrolmen and Campus Police," reported a childish outburst by Sheriff Schneider and Chief McCarney. Probably the police chief and sheriff were trying to cover up for their own ineptness during the student problems this spring when they spent about three nights trying to control and quiet the demonstrations with tear gas, spraying the gas even in dormitories where those not involved with the demonstration suffered and had to move out of their rooms. Such action on the part of the officers of the law is not the way to settle demonstrations, and only serve to stiffen student resistance. The Iowa Highway Patrol arrived and in one night had things under control, so I rather think, the proof of the criticism points, not at the Highway Patrol, but to Schneider and McCarney who demonstrated that they do not know how to handle such disturbances other than with the stick and tear gas guns. I have lived in Iowa City for 44 years, and I don't quite understand what the sheriff and the chief of police are trying to do to our beautiful city. If the newspapers are reporting the statement accurately, then they must have a great hatred or jealousy to make this violent verbal attack on the Highway Patrol. The only specific complaints expressed were that after arrests the Iowa City Police and sheriff's office had to process the prisoners and dispose of vehicles impounded by the state patrol. Is that not part of their sworn job? When our city and county law officers revert to their childhood by shouting in a public meeting, perhaps they have need for some courses in behavior and human relations. If the City Council of Iowa City and the county supervisors do not investigate this dispute with the Iowa Highway Patrol and Campus Security, and take firm action, we shall face serious problems for years to come in Iowa City. Lee W. Cochran 35 Olive Court