George Mason University (GMU) is committed to providing an inclusive and safe living, teaching, and learning environment for the entire Mason community. Integral in this process is the development and cultivation of meaningful connections between the campus community and the George Mason University Police Department (GMUPD).
Cops on Campus
View event recording: Cops on Campus
The conversation continues. The GMU Police Advisory Board (PAB), with the support of the Anti-Racist & Inclusive Excellence Initiative (ARIE), hosted “Cops on Campus,” a conversation with police chiefs from around the country. We discussed the value of community and police relationships on our campuses in the context of local events, and the national climate. We heard from campus chiefs, with unique experiences and different types of institutions, in a moderated discussion followed by a Q&A session. This event took place on Monday, March 6, 2023.
Deputy Chief Tommye Sutton, Vanderbilt University
Chief Kimberly Spears-McNatt, The Ohio State University
Chief Eric Holmes, Duquesne University
Former Chief David L . Perry, Senior Research Associate, Institute for Intergovernmental Relations
Representatives, Mason Department of Police and Public Safety
Moderated by: Dr. RaShall M. Brackney, Distinguished Visiting Professor of Practice, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Police Advisory Board Co-Chair
Board Overview
Charge
On July 11, 2011, the George Mason University Presidential Task Force on University Police and University Community Relations provided then-President Alan Merten a Final Report with a list of recommendations to improve community-police relations on the college campus. Included in the report were a set of 24 recommendations that could be categorized in five areas of community relations. As it relates to the work of this current Committee, was the recommendation to “Increase Accountability of the University Police to the Campus Community.” (pg. 2) Specifically, the Task Force recommended the creation of “an independent committee to monitor the University Police.” (pg. 8) At that time, the Task Force had “not resolved the precise form and duties of the University Police Oversight Committee (UPOC)…” (pg. 8) but it did provide suggestions regarding the proposed UPOC responsibilities to include: “reviewing University Police actions and receipts, and receiving, investigating, and disposing of community member complaints against the University Police.” (pg. 9) To date, the University has not adopted this recommendation and does not have a meaningful external and independent community-led mechanism for police accountability.
The Police Advisory Board is comprised of students, faculty, and staff, representing a cross-section of our campus community, brought together to evaluate and advise Mason PD on policy, procedure, and concerns that impact the safety and quality of life for students, faculty, staff, and guests. The Board’s work will be organized into the following subcommittees that will work collaboratively to address the following guiding questions.
Reporting
The Police Advisory Board will begin its work in Spring 2022, reviewing previously submitted reports and recommendations that will inform a set of preliminary recommendations due to the Executive Sponsors. The board will subsequently submit semi-annual reports to the executive sponsors that include but are not limited to:
- The frequency, nature, and pattern of complaints, investigations, and their resolutions
- Recommendations for adjustments in policy, procedures, recruitment, hiring, training, and development for the GMU Police Department Staff
- Recommendations and assessment for ongoing community relations, outreach, and communication initiatives
Meetings and Public Forums
The Police Advisory Board will conduct monthly meetings. Special and subcommittee meetings will be held as the board deems necessary. The Police Advisory Board will conduct at least one public forum per semester.
Advisory Board Composition & Term Length
The Advisory Board will be composed of members of the GMU community including students, faculty, and staff. All members will be appointed and approved by executive sponsors. Leadership will consist of two (2) advisory board co-chairs, and subcommittee chairs who will lead one of the three subcommittees. Faculty and staff member terms will be for two academic years, while student terms will be for one academic year. Advisory board members may serve for up to three terms. Additional faculty fellows and graduate assistants may be identified and appointed as appropriate.
Co-chairs
|
RaShall Brackney |
Distinguished Visiting Professor of Practice, African & African American Studies |
|
Creston Lynch |
Assistant Vice President, University Life |
Members
|
Ben Manski |
Assistant Professor, Sociology and Anthropology |
|
Brent Ericson |
Assistant Dean/Director, Office of Student Conduct, University Life |
|
Donald Shaw |
Student, History |
|
Hansel Aguilar |
Student, Sociology |
|
Jaelin Mitchell |
Student, Music |
|
Josh Kinchen |
Director, LGBTQ+ Resources, University Life |
|
Leilani Vasquez |
Student, Government & Intl Politics |
|
Myra Khan |
Case Manager, Dean of Students Office, University Life |
|
Oladunni Oni |
Student, English |
|
Phil McDaniel |
Associate Director, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Student Involvement |
|
Rachel Wernicke |
Associate Dean and Chief Mental Health Officer, University Life |
|
Shyama Kuver |
Associate Director, Contemporary Student Services, University Life |
|
Tamara Washington |
Director, Center for Culture, Equity, and Empowerment, University Life |
|
Taylor Mallory |
Community Director, Housing and Residence Life |
|
Zuri Hodnett |
Student, Government & Intl Politics |
Board Roster
Subcommittees and Guiding Questions
Assessment & Recommendations Subcommittee
- How can we apply previously submitted proposals and recommendations to enhance relationships, satisfaction, and services regarding the GMU Police Department and the greater campus community? How can these recommendations be implemented to make short-term and long-term improvements?
- What opportunities exist to enhance the recruitment, hiring, on-boarding, and training for GMU Police officers and cadets?
- What are the implications regarding the frequency, nature, and patterns of complaints, investigations, and resolutions for on-going training and development, as well as adjustments in policy, and procedures?
Review & Oversight Subcommittee
- How can we transparently and effectively make recommendations regarding complaints involving University law enforcement officers and/or the GMU Police Department’s interactions with community members through oversight and review of complaints, investigations, and remediation of police misconduct?
- How can we best allocate/reallocate the Police Department’s budget?
Community Relations & Outreach Subcommittee
- How do external events and the national climate regarding policing influence policing at Mason? How might we appropriately account for, and address those influences in a way that improves relationships between the GMU Police Department and traditionally marginalized populations?
- How do we consistently monitor and assess campus community-wide perceptions of the GMU Police Department?
- How does the national climate regarding policing influence perceptions and relationships on campus? In what ways can we proactively address and mitigate those perceptions through intentional relationships and coalition building?
- What are the best practices in community policing that can be adopted and applied at GMU?