To present themselves as more approachable in this era of national protests against questionable law enforcement practices, the police and security officers of Franklin & Marshall College’s Department of Public Safety have changed the style of uniforms they wear.
“I wanted to soften the look of our DPS officers as a way of looking less militaristic,” Associate Vice President for Public Safety William McHale said. “I want our officers to look more approachable so our community is more at ease when interacting with DPS officers.”
The officers began sporting the new uniforms Aug. 21. The police officers are wearing dark navy shirts with light-colored khakis and the security team is wearing royal blue shirts with light-colored khakis.
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Public Safety Police Officer Gary Parsons and Security Officer, Howard Paslay in their new uniforms while on campus.
Image Credit: Deb Grove
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Security Officer Paslay and Crime Prevention Officer Keely Johnston patrol the campus grounds in their new uniforms.
Image Credit: Deb Grove
DPS is a fully trained, sworn and accredited department. The College requires professional certification of anyone hired to serve as a police officer, investigator, crime analyst, crime prevention, chief, lieutenant, captain or sergeant.
The Franklin & Marshall officers are trained under Pennsylvania Act 120 – which requires graduation from a municipal police academy approved by the Pennsylvania Municipal Police Education and Training Commission. In Pennsylvania, that curriculum requires a minimum of 750 hours of training (including training with firearms). This is the exact training that is required for all municipal police officers in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
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Public Safety Office Thomas Mase wearing the department's new look.
Image Credit: Deb Grove