The first thing you should know about EWU's campus police: they're real police, but they're not like the police you see on TV.
I worked in the residence halls for a couple of years as an office worker and I can't count the times the EWU police helped me out. Sitting at the office for five hours at night could be tough at times, but having the police stop by for a few minutes helped me get through some of the heavy homework nights.
So how would you get to meet them? Students in the residence halls will get a few opportunities to speak with the police when they visit the halls for rounds and when they put on events, but there are actually a few things the police do that you wouldn’t know about right away.
Like free coffee.
Police at EWU run Coffee with a Cop. The idea is simple: you sit with a police officer, have a coffee, and chat about whatever you want to talk about. It’s a way for you to speak with a police officer and get to know them. Coffee with a Cop is usually held once a month from 8 a.m.-11 a.m., perfect for students heading to class or who have an hour free in the mornings.
What else do they do?
Instead of riding around in cars, a few of our police officers ride around on bikes. Bikes help our officers in numerous ways:
First of all, police on bikes can get around the campus pathways and buildings quickly. That means they can cover more ground on campus overall, and they’ll get across campus in half the time it would take an officer in a car to cross campus.
Bikes reduce the carbon footprint and wear on police cars. Let’s face it, police cars are far more expensive than bikes and aren’t as environmentally friendly. Even if a hundred bikes have to be replaced for every one car that gets replaced (I did the math), it ends up less expensive.
That last one is probably what you’ll notice when you leave the library late at night after studying. Knowing the police are nearby looking out for you makes walking to the residence halls after dark much more comfortable.
Especially if you’re still kind of afraid of the dark like me.
What everyone’s really here for
The last thing I’ll talk about with EWU police today is Hilani the facility dog. Hilani is a Golden Retriever and Labrador mix that helps out the police station. I’ve never seen Hilani but I hear she’s very friendly and relaxed. Remember to ask before you pet her!
That’s not all, there are many more programs out there with the EWU police. I’ve spoken to them on numerous occasions going to and from class, and when I worked in the halls. Say hi next time you meet one of our fantastic officers!
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