Efforts to Increase Transparency and Accountability of Campus Police

As higher education institutions respond to student demands regarding campus police presence and reach, it becomes critically important to ensure institutionwide awareness about policies, practices, and reform efforts. To better understand campus policing policies and reforms at colleges and universities, NASPA–Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education engaged in a three-part research project involving: 1) a theme analysis of relevant federal- and state-level legislation, 2) a survey of vice presidents for student affairs with campus safety listed as a functional area, and 3) a content analysis of campus safety websites for 200 institutions. This brief offers an overview of key considerations for administrators about opportunities for increasing transparency and accountability around campus police departments through communications with the community.