Photo courtesy Thames Valley Police
Four new Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) will begin patrols of University property next week in an unprecedented joint deal between Thames Valley Police and Oxford University.
The two-year, £120,000 contract has sparked controversy with college authorities after the national press incorrectly reported that the PCSOs would have unlimited access to college grounds. Locally, The Oxford Mail reported that “they will be allowed to wander freely around the courtyards corridors and student accommodation.”
The news created tension between the individual colleges and the University; college authorities traditionally guard their independence fiercely.
A member of security staff at one college said, “A student told me about plans to allow police into Colleges. I haven’t heard anything about it, neither has my head of house. And I assume that the University security services would be ticked off by this sort of thing.”
A Domestic Bursar at another college said, “We should know if they’re coming into our premises. They won’t be coming in here unless we allow it and I doubt very much if we would.”
The Oxford Mail’s story, which sparked the national press coverage, created a storm of controversy as it was published before the final contract had been signed, and before the details had been finalised.
"Bit of a flurry"
A decision has since been reached that the PCSOs will not be given unlimited access to college grounds but will be allowed to look around colleges once granted permission.
A University spokesperson admitted that, “there was a bit of a flurry with the college bursars.”
Karen Tarrant, lodge manager of Jesus College, who previously worked with the police, agreed that things had grown out of proportion. However she added that the PCSOs are a step in the right direction, saying, “I will welcome them in for a cup of tea and a chat…Other colleges may not be so open minded, but if they do not want to invite the PCSOs into their grounds, then that is their choice.”
The Principal Proctor’s Office have clarified the information and sent notification to Colleges to explain the specific responsibilities of the PCSOs affiliated with the University. Their main responsibility will be to support regular police officers, and provide a visible presence.
No power of arrest
Although they do not have the power of arrest, they are equipped with radios and will call for assistance where necessary. They are also allowed to detain a suspect until the police arrive.
The PCSOs have said they will issue fixed penalty notices, confiscate alcohol and tobacco, remove abandoned vehicles and demand the name and address of anyone behaving in an anti-social manner.
Police press officer Toby Shergold said that the PCSOs are “expected to speak to people around colleges, find out security potholes, protect students and garner intelligence.”
Shergold added, “this is not just to respond to specific incidents but to correspond with other policing to provide a physical police presence within the University. The University will have a say in where they concentrate PCSOs. It’s more about being close to the community and establishing a relationship.”
A spokesperson for the University called the coverage said, “It’s a question of having good relations and supporting the police. It’s been in the pipeline for a while and the University is always in close contact with the police.”
As part of the terms of the joint deal the University and Thames Valley Police will split the cost of the PCSOs equally while the officers will have access to an office in the Bodleian Library.
Office space in the bottom of the Clarendon Building on Broad Street will be used as a ‘base’ for the officers and will also allow them to liaise with the Proctors’ office.
Police spokesperson Victoria Brandon said “an area at the Bodleian has been identified where the PCSOs can have a computer terminal and act as a base so they do not have to keep going back to St Aldate’s police station.”
Bulldogs
Whilst the PCSO contract is a new initiative it is not the first time the University has paid for a police force
In the past the University had its own private police force until it was disbanded in 2003 when the Proctors decided that they were too expensive to maintain and train.
Oxford University Constables, widely known as ‘Bulldogs’, had been the private force of the University since 1825 and were conspicuous in their uniform of bowler hats. The ‘bulldogs’ had enjoyed the same powers as police constables, including the power of arrest, but only when within four miles of any University building.
"Entirely impartial"
A year ago, Cherwell reported on accusations of collusion between the University and Thames Valley Police after an accidently taped conversation between police officers came to light at the trial of Speak animal rights protestors.
One of the police officers was recorded saying, “The problem is, the protesters do not realise how powerful the University is…it’s a sleeping giant.”
In reference to the arrest of a number of Speak activists the same officer stated that the “feedback from the University [about the arrests] was… that they were really impressed with it.” Another police officer replied, “Well that’s the main thing isn’t it.”
At the time a University spokesperson denied that any suggestion of an inappropriate relationship with the police. A press officer said at the time, "While we are in regular dialogue with the police, operational matters are entirely within their jurisdiction, and are not a matter for the University," he said.
Thames Valley Police also stated that they were not unduly influenced by the University. Detective Chief Constable Alex Marshall said, “I am confident that the way our organisation works with the University is entirely impartial.”
