Purdue University Northwest student Nicole Steel recently was headed for a lunch break in the Griffin building of student housing when a flier near the front door caught her eye.
“It was an advertisement for Pizza with a Cop,” she said. “It sounded interesting and it was lunchtime.”
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What the college freshman found when she entered the lounge area was campus police Chief Patricia Nowak and officers from her 33-member Purdue campus police force socializing with students. And serving them pizza.
After talking with Police Chief Nowak, Steel said she learned quite a bit about what the campus police force does.
“Our conversation gave me a clearer picture about their mission,” she said. “Many students’ main concern on campus is one of safety and it’s good to know the police are looking out for us.”
According to Wes Lukoshus, assistant vice chancellor of marketing and communications, “Pizza with a Cop is a new initiative our Purdue University Northwest is offering to build a stronger relationship between our university police force and members of the PNW campus community.”
A conversation a few weeks ago between Nowak and director of university housing Scott Iverson was the impetus to bring the informal program to students housed in both Peregrine Hall and Griffin Hall, which are south of the main university buildings in University Village on 175th Street. The presentations took place April 12 and April 19.
Peregrine Hall is home to 375 students, and Griffin Hall accommodates 350 students.
“We wanted to spread the word as to what the university police force does to keep our university a safe place to live and go to school,” Iverson said. “This (event) gives our students an opportunity to view those on our police force as regular people.”
Talking face to face with police officers in a relaxed setting really does goes a long way in developing trust, according to Theo Penn, PNW student and resident assistant in Griffin Hall.
“I’m in charge of the first floor of our building and students come to me with many questions and concerns,” he said. “It’s a great feeling to know that we can call our police 24-7 with any of our concerns. They are people just like us.”
Sgt. Larry Thyen has been on the campus police force for 11 years and heartily agrees with Penn. “We aren’t just police officers — we are husbands, fathers and brothers, with concerns just like everyone else.”
Nowak believes that putting a face to the uniformed officers the students see on campus goes a long way toward developing a positive relationship for those who are looking after their safety and education. “After talking with us at an event like today, the students will be more apt to contact us,” he said.
PNW senior Jeffrey Bohlin, who resides in Griffin Hall, agrees with Nowak. “This (event) is good for everyone. It helps to neutralize the negative police images we hear so much about.”
Thyen said it’s tough to combat negative stereotypes.
“It’s hard to break down the barriers that keep the negative image of police being around only when there is trouble,” he said. “We want to let the students know we are there for the positive things also. We’re here for them 24-7.”
Korey West, area coordinator of university housing, is fairly new to the PNW campus, having been hired six weeks ago. She is supportive of any and all efforts to involve the student population with those concerned about their safety.
“This gives students a base knowledge of what our police do for us and the university, as well as the services they offer.”
More than 30 students attended each of the two recent sessions.
“This number was more than we expected,” West added. “But this large amount of visitors shows that our students were interested in what the program had to offer, and eager to learn about the topic.”
The PNW Calumet Campus Police Force consists of three part-time officers, 18 auxiliary members and 12 full time police officers.
They patrol not only the main campus buildings and parking lots, but also the many nearby properties of PNW, such as the Dowling Park Sports Complex near Kennedy Avenue, the Commercialization Center on Indianapolis Boulevard, office buildings on 169th Street and many others.
The Campus Police Force has the same authority as the Indiana State Police, according to West. That includes detainment and arrests, among other things.
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Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.