George Washington University (GWU) has confirmed the resignation of its police chief, James Tate, amid allegations regarding the management of a program that armed campus police officers. This announcement follows findings reported by The GW Hatchet, the university’s student newspaper, which indicated that Tate had been placed on administrative leave and that a third-party investigation is underway to assess safety and training deficiencies associated with the gun program.
University’s Response and Future Plans
In a statement regarding this change, the university did not provide specific details concerning the investigations or the events leading to Tate’s leave. GWU plans to initiate a national search for a permanent replacement for the police chief.
Controversies Surrounding the Armed Program
The initiative to arm campus police, which was introduced during Tate’s leadership, has been a topic of considerable debate. The program aimed to lessen reliance on external police services and enhance responses to potential violent situations. However, it faced strong opposition from both students and faculty, who raised concerns that the campus police primarily deal with minor offenses, suggesting that arming officers would not effectively improve safety on campus.
Details on the Training Program
Notwithstanding the pushback, GWU proceeded with the program, which included a training regimen for selected officers. Recently, the police department reported the completion of a year-and-a-half training program intended to prepare officers for firearm service. Once fully implemented, approximately one-third of the police force, equating to 22 supervisory officers, would be armed.
Safety Violations and Community Feedback
The police department asserted that it had amended training protocols based on community feedback, such as amplifying the frequency of de-escalation training and firearms practice. Nonetheless, a September investigation revealed numerous safety violations in the program’s implementation, including inadequate firearm registration and insufficient training for officers expected to handle critical emergency situations.
Concerns from Former Officers
Concerns regarding the overall governance of police decision-making were echoed by former officers, including Ryan Monteiro, a former campus sergeant, who characterized the program as problematic and expressed concerns for the safety of the university community.
Interim Leadership and Governance Mandate
In light of the unrest surrounding the gun program, GWU’s administration thanked Tate for his service and appointed Ian Greenlee as the acting police chief while a search for a permanent replacement is underway.
Context of the Gun Program’s Establishment
The GWU board of trustees had mandated the establishment of the gun program in 2023, citing escalating fears of mass gun violence in surrounding communities and the necessity for a well-resourced police force familiar with the area. Despite a decline in violent crime rates in Washington, D.C., over the past decade, scrutiny over the university’s safety protocols has surfaced, highlighting the intricate relations between campus safety measures and community dynamics.
(Source: Higher Ed Dive)