Shelbie Harris
Staff Writer
Issues between the Pocatello Police Department and the Idaho State University Public Safety Department were discussed at a meeting held Friday Nov. 21.
The meeting was held in response to concerns about the actions of Public Safety officers as expressed by Pocatello Police Chief Scott Marchand and Captain Roger Schei.
The concerns led to a series of letters being exchanged by City Attorney Dean Tranmer and ISU Legal Counsel David Alexander.
ISU President Arthur Vailas said prior to the meeting he wasn’t too concerned about the differences of opinion expressed between the departments based on a great relationship with the Pocatello Police Department that has lasted over 30 years.
The problem faced between the departments boils down to a communication breakdown between ISU Public Safety and the Pocatello Police Department.
ISU recently underwent an evaluation handled by the Idaho Chiefs of Police Association in which the University was graded on more than 90 different standards determining communication, how to handle crimes and other various criteria.
“We really enjoy the partnership we have with the police department and the city of Pocatello,” Vailas said.
“We are different than Idaho and Boise State in the fact that we have had law enforcement education here at ISU for quite some time, with many of our students who graduate from that program becoming police officers,” he added.
The letter written by Tranmer was systemic following a city meeting with Marchand and Schei regarding the new concealed weapons law on campus.
Tranmer explained that city officials were upset about the delay in being contacted after Assistant Professor Byron Bennett accidentally shot himself during a lecture in the Physical Science Complex in September.
By the time Pocatello Police were contacted the scene was contained, cleaned up and the initial investigation completed.
In addition to the concerns surrounding the shooting, police officials were also upset about other instances in which a crime may have been committed and Public Safety officials allegedly failed to contact Pocatello Police.
Additionally, Pocatello Police found it important for ISU Public Safety officials to wear clothing that less resembled that of Pocatello Police officers, suggesting an orange shirt rather than the black outfits currently in use.
Alexander drafted a four-page letter to the city explaining concern regarding the method of contact exhibited by the Pocatello Police and expressed fear of what potential harm this letter could induce.
Also included in the letter was information stating no Public Safety official has ever identified himself as an officer of the law or acted outside the scope of their predetermined duties.
When the relationship between Pocatello Police Department and Public Safety was forged over 30 years ago, a memorandum of understanding was written identifying the explicit duties of both the Police force and Public Safety.
The meeting held Nov. 21 emphasized communication between the departments and that any issues or discrepancies on either side need to be addressed at the monthly meetings attended by Chief of Police Marchand, Public Safety Director Steve Chatterton and other ranking officials.
ISU Director of Marketing and Communications Adrienne King said that anytime you have this long-standing relationship there are opportunities for there to be misunderstandings or confusion. She also mentioned the last time the memorandum was revisited was over 12 years ago and in that time period policies can change on both sides, so making sure there is open communication is critical.
“At the end of the day, both sides are committed to the safety and security of the people of Pocatello, and to the campus community,” King said. “Our number one focus is a safe environment for faculty, staff and students of ISU.”
Attempts were made to contact Pocatello Police officials including Marchand and Schei, however they were unavailable for comment regarding this issue.
