Huddled around in a circle, students in Schmidt and Wilson halls were the ones questioning the cop.
It's just part of Cpl. Matt Gaither's job.
In addition to being one of the University Police Department's day shift supervisors, Gaither spends time speaking with students and teaching Rape Aggression Defense classes.
"[The talks and classes] open students up to our police department and the types of services we offer," he said.
Gaither and other members of UPD frequently give speeches and have forums with students where they can ask whatever they want. At the Schmidt/Wilson forum, students asked questions from a variety of topics, including policies for skateboards on campus and drinking issues.
The relaxed atmosphere of the forum likely helps students feel more comfortable, Gaither said.
"Most of the time students are open with their questions," he said. "A lot of it is, when we're there to give a talk, they know we're not there in the capacity to look into if they're drinking. They don't think they're dealing with us in a police-client atmosphere."
Gene Burton, director of Public Safety, said 20 to 25 officers conduct forums with students. UPD has always conducted the forums, but they have been a point of emphasis in the past two or three years.
"We have more manpower to do it, and we understand it's part of our role to be an education resource," he said. "It really provides needed information for the student body and that information is good for developing life skills. Plus, it gives officers a chance to interact with students in more favorable conditions."
Gaither said many students are initially confused about UPD's role on campus and how much authority it has. Students don't realize they're sworn-in officers who make arrests and can take students to jail, he said. Most students think UPD takes students to a different jail.
Students also have misconceptions about who UPD questions in drinking-related scenarios, Gaither said.
"In the evening, 90 percent of what we do is alcohol related," he said. "Most of them think we're looking for anyone, but we're looking for people trying to function in excess, being impaired or being a danger to themselves or others. That's what we target."
In the nationally recognized RAD classes, Gaither teaches women how to keep from being targets by aggressive attackers. He and two other instructors teach a free, five-night class on how to kick, punch, hit and use other defense moves in different scenarios.
"Most of the ladies have never been attacked. It's an eye opener for them," he said. "Say something happens to them, the class stops them from freezing up and not knowing what to do."
Whether in the forums or in RAD, Gaither said he enjoys having the opportunity to interact with students.
"I like meeting the people and hearing the questions," he said. "After eight years, I still often think ‘I've never heard that before' or someone will bring up something they've seen. It's always something new."
For information on RAD or to have an officer from UPD host a forum, call UPD at 765-285-1111 or e-mail police@bsu.edu
Information on UPD
bsu.edu/police
Information on RAD
tinyurl.com/RADbsu
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