New MD. law allows John Hopkins to create campus police force
Baltimore MD April 22 2019
With the passing of a new bill allowing for private college police departments, John Hopkins University continues the process of changing over from an internal security department to a campus police agency.
The Community Safety and Strengthening Act was passed by the Maryland General Assembly on April 1, 2019, and signed on April 18, 2019. The comprehensive public safety bill provides support for community and economic development efforts, youth engagement and job training that can help address the root causes of crime in Baltimore. It also authorizes Johns Hopkins to establish a small, accountable university police department subject to the highest standards and mandates of constitutional community policing and public accountability.
The law will go into effect on July 1, and we will move into a multiyear period of implementation. Our work in 2019 will include the start of discussions with the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) around the drafting of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) and initial engagement with the community regarding the MOU and recommendations for the first Johns Hopkins Police Accountability Board. We also will begin to seek input regarding how best to collaborate with our neighbors to identify areas near our campuses where future JHPD patrols could be welcome and effective, and we will develop plans for the phased recruiting and training of new officers in accordance with the exacting standards set by the legislation.
In the meantime, we will continue to share information about the JHPD and to provide opportunities for feedback and engagement on the Public Safety Initiatives website. Under the leadership of Vice President Melissa Hyatt, the current Johns Hopkins Safety and Security operation also will continue to work every day to strengthen relationships with the community and keep our campuses and surrounding areas safe.
