The University Police Department can function as a model of proper police performance which our citizens can apply to police services provided in their home communities. We will do this by correctly responding to incidents of crime and by proactively interacting with people to educate them to their duty to protect themselves and each other. In this way, we will make an important contribution to the health and safety of our community and that of society in general. While the first concept, removing the social causes of crime is considered the most effective means for reducing crime, it is an approach that falls outside the capabilities and limitations of our Police Department. This is an approach more appropriately explored and developed within the University's social science departments.
Police do play an important role in implementing the second concept, that of threatening punishment.
The fear of certain apprehension can deter a prospective criminal. A vigilant and responsive police department can work to discourage criminal activity in its jurisdiction. This has been the role of the University Police Department and one we will continue to fulfill. But the lessons of the preceding decades have forced us to realize that the third concept, that of removing the opportunity to commit crime, is an equally important police task. We must continually inform members of our community about lawful crime prevention attitudes and strategies.