If Muncie's terror alert level ever rises above orange, the Ball State University Police Department could be our first line of defense.
Yes, your campus police are being taught, by trainers from federal departments, how to deal with situations far worse than we hope they ever have to encounter.
The Department of Homeland Security requires minimal training for all police officers that teaches them to deal with hazardous materials and weapons of mass destruction and to respond efficiently to emergency situations. But the UPD has gone above and beyond that call of duty.
UPD officers have actually been seeking extra education in disaster preparation since 2000, and since then many officers have volunteered to attend specialized training sessions on various safety and investigation topics. The department even has a competitive system for choosing those who will participate based on their knowledge, skills and desire to learn.
While the UPD isn't particularly popular among students, these training efforts show that the department is dedicated to improving safety on Ball State's campus.
The UPD should be commended for taking extra steps to make campus as safe a place as it can be.
Although most of us don't expect another terrorist attack on the United States to hit tomorrow, it turns out Ball State fits five of the 10 criteria for cities possible to be hit by terrorists. The extensive preparation of the UPD isn't always apparent, but you'll be happy they have this training if it ever becomes necessary.
And with efforts like this, it's clear that the safety of the Ball State community is the UPD's primary concern - despite all the criticism the department receives.
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