Recently, one of the Lanthorn staff writers went on a ride along with the Grand Valley State University Police Department. During this time, she was able to observe what the police on campus do on a nightly basis. The idea for the ride along was strongly encouraged by the police department as a beneficial way for students to see what GVPD does and how they operate. In fact, GVPD now considers it an annual event.

On the ride along, our writer and photographer were given the opportunity to ask questions, observe and see the role of a GVPD officer on homecoming night, one of the busiest times of the year.

This event is something that started as a one time instance and has now become an annual tradition because of the encouragement of administration. This, as you can imagine, makes the ride along experience much more enjoyable and genuine for our writers and readers.

We want to thank GVPD for their commitment to transparency. With a lot in the news about corrupt police forces and illegal operations, it is refreshing to be given an opportunity to look into something as prevalent as law enforcement on a college campus, especially when many other student publications aren’t given the same chance.

The conflict that arose between Philadelphia police and a Temple University student journalist is one instance where transparency was not prioritized. In 2009, Shannon McDonald went for a ride with the police. Her article, “Black and Blue,” contained her observations during the experience, including the racist comments the officer made about the neighborhood they traveled through. As a result, the officer was temporarily suspended from duty. Although she wrote the story for her capstone journalism class, she still received negative comments about her conduct and what she wrote.

She identified herself as a journalist, so anything that was said during the ride-along was fair game. However, the Lanthorn acknowledges that better communication is necessary to ensure that the experience is properly explained in a way that does not cross any boundaries. Our writer was briefed on the proper conduct for tweeting prior to the ride.

Not only does the ride-along provide transparency, but also might help students to understand how and why the police department does its job. Oftentimes, the police are painted as villains out to ruin the fun, but a ride-along is a great opportunity to show students that the police are here also to help keep us safe.

The police enforce the laws in part to keep students from hurting themselves and others when a night of partying might lose control. Two cases during the ride-along focused on alcohol abuse that ended with the inebriated students needing assistance, which GVPD was there to provide. Though students may not always appreciate this element of the police department, in some instances, there could be serious consequences without assistance from officers.

The ride-along can help students to see that the police are here to help keep campus safe. Whether that is patrolling living centers to make sure no unwanted individuals are there or stepping in during emergency situations, the police department’s cooperation with the ride-along and the Lanthorn in general is greatly appreciated.

Now, if only all aspects of university life across the country was just as transparent as GVPD is.