Doug
Parrow, Chief of Police at South Dakota Mines, is undertaking the effort to
hire a diverse range of officers and foster an inclusive environment on campus.
The
team of 20 public safety officers at South Dakota Mines is a reflection of the campus
multicultural community. The diverse team includes six women, nine
international students, seven people of color, and six white male officers.
Mines
Police Chief Doug Parrow believes the most effective public safety team is one
that represents the diversity on campus. “Diversifying our public safety team allows
members of the campus community, who represent various backgrounds and
identities, to better relate to our department,” Parrow says. “This allows us to serve the campus with more fairness and
understanding, and we hope it fosters a more inclusive environment while
helping members of our campus community feel a little more at home.”
The
university’s 2019-2020 Diversity Report shows Mines students come from 46
states, 39 foreign countries, and various tribal nations. White students make
up roughly 80% of the campus community and men outnumber women students 3:1. The
university is working to meet industry demand to increase diversity in STEM
fields with programs like Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) and the
ongoing work by the Center for Inclusion and Ivanhoe
International Center.
“Our
industry partners want to build science and engineering teams that thrive in
the diverse global marketplace,” says Mines President Jim Rankin. “Our ongoing
effort to foster diversity and inclusion on campus meets this industry demand. We
know there is more work to be done to see women and people of color adequately
represented in STEM fields, and we are continually seeking to improve this situation.”
Public
safety officers at Mines help protect and secure the campus 24 hours a day, 7
days a week by patrolling the campus, securing buildings, and monitoring
traffic. They are often the first to respond to university calls for assistance.
Public safety officers do not carry weapons, but they can call in uniformed
police officers when needed. Chief Parrow is the only armed officer with full
police authority on campus at this time. More uniformed law enforcement
officers may be added in the future.
“The diversity of our department enhances trust in
our multicultural campus community. That trust is a huge asset, and it is vital
to our overall mission,” says Parrow.