UCPD NEWS
EVENT: UCPD/Student Forum
A time for students to talk to UCPD officers
Wednesday, December 10
4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Eshleman Hall
student lounge on the 2nd floor
The main purpose of the forum is to maintain informal but respectful communication between students and officers, in the hope that we will learn from each other and overcome preconceptions and misunderstandings.
Thank you for your interest in the UCPD/Student Forum. We hope to see you there.
Quick Overview
History: The UCPD/Student Forum is new. It first started last semester in response to student input and their request for more communication with, and information about, UCPD.
We have had meetings since October 2008. Ideally, we will keep to the monthly schedule. So far we have had some constructive and educational discussions — both groups learn from each other.
Process: The forum is co-moderated by UCPD and a student representative working on behalf of the ASUC. Discussion topics are generated by suggestion at the beginning of each meeting.
We don't take notes or require anyone to identify themselves. All students are welcome. UCPD participation is limited to officers and sergeants, by request of the students. UCPD might typically have 3 to 5 staff present, plus a co-moderator.
additional info from the student organizer:
Mission Statement: “The forum is an opportunity for students and police officers to engage with each other informally yet directly as human beings. They will have an opportunity to bring up and discuss misgivings, impressions, concerns, and incidents in the past as well as their hopes for the future. The forum will be open and unlimited in what topics can be discussed and by whom. As such, the consequences of the forum are, and should remain, undetermined.”
This is the only mission of the forum. We hope the forum will be a basis for follow-up about the issues raised. Though the forum is not meant to be a focus group to come up with solutions, solutions may be discussed in the forum and found as a result of it.
We hope that the attendees will use the relationships and understanding gained in the forum to solve problems they see with the UCPD/Student relationship.
Ground Rules
- Be respectful. Wait for your turn to speak. Refrain from responses to what people are saying such as scoffing, laughing, etc.
- Respect the facilitators. They are trying their best to facilitate a conversation between many people. Give them a break, especially since these forums are new.
- Don’t write anything down. This may seem crazy, but it’s part of making a safe environment where no one thinks they will be held to account for what they say.
- Express yourself, express your opinion. This is a safe space where you can say whatever you want when your turn comes up. Nothing can be recorded against you for direct legal ramifications, but if you’re talking about something illegal, be smart about what you say.
- Address people directly. Try not to speak in generalities and be as specific and direct as you can. It’s easy to be indirect, but it’s harder and more productive to address someone.
- Listen when being addressed. Even if you don’t want to respond, listening is fundamental to respecting the forum and its purpose.
- You are encouraged to respond when addressed, but you don’t have to.
How the forum will run
There are two facilitators, a police officer and a student. They are responsible for making sure everyone gets a chance to speak and as many topics as possible are covered. The police officer calls on the police officers, while the student calls on the students.
At the beginning of the forum, the facilitators will ask for topics from the general forum body. They will take them from police and students based on the proportion of each attending. After each topic is exhausted, more topics will be brainstormed and the facilitator will decide which topic to address next based on what has been covered in the previous topic, with input from the general body. The facilitators are responsible for budgeting time to make sure each topic is covered.
During the actual discussion of topics, the forum will follow a totally free flow of conversation. The facilitators will try to call on people who address each other, while getting as many people not directly involved in the initial interaction to weigh in. We hope that no further guidelines will be necessary.
Explore the Site for More Safety Info:
Thank you for visiting police.berkeley.edu. UCPD encourages everyone to utilize our safety programs and services all year round. Take a minute to look over our campus safety guidelines and learn more ways to protect your vehicle, your belongings and yourself on campus and off.
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