Columbia University confirmed on Sunday the introduction of 36 new special patrol officers with ties to the NYPD, sparking controversy.
The New York Police Department commissioner appointed these officers under state law last month to boost campus security with arrest powers akin to regular police officers. Columbia University spokesperson Samantha Slater detailed their roles following a request for assistance made last year after NYPD arrests of pro-Palestinian protesters who had barricaded a building.
Slater noted that the officers underwent the NYPD’s vetting process and completed a 162-hour training program based on New York’s Peace Officers Law. “They are Columbia University employees, funded and trained by us, but appointed by the commissioner,” she clarified. These officers will patrol private campus areas typically outside NYPD jurisdiction and report any arrests to local precincts. This move, spurred by last spring’s protests, aims to diminish reliance on city police, the Public Safety Office suggests. Nonetheless, it has sparked concerns due to the officers’ adherence to NYPD regulations.
Columbia University alumni ripped their diplomas to stand in solidarity with their colleague, Mahmoud Khalil, who was arrested over his activism for Palestine. pic.twitter.com/kSN2WH8Wbm
— AJ+ (@ajplus) April 6, 2025This development is part of an ongoing response to global unrest on campuses and internal conflicts between Columbia’s trustees and Senate members. Interim President Claire Shipman’s board endorsed the new hires. Yet, some senators, like Dr. Jeanine D’Armiento, voiced concerns about the opaque nature of NYPD involvement, stating, “We were informed about the presence of peace officers, but not about the NYPD’s involvement.”
BREAKING:
Thousands of anti-Israel protesters gather in Washington D.C. to ”march on ICE” and demand the release of the Syrian-Palestinian Columbia University protest leader Mahmoud Khalil.
He was taken into custody to be deported.
Via @ScooterCasterNY pic.twitter.com/cIy9HYymyM
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) April 5, 2025Amid U.S. pressure over allegations of antisemitism, Columbia is expanding its security force authorized to use force, conduct warrantless searches, and detain individuals on campus. Critics argue this represents an excessive power expansion, while supporters like Slater defend the transparency of the process. With rising tensions, this development marks a significant transformation in Columbia’s approach to campus security.
Read: Columbia University Agrees to Trump Demands to Restore Federal Funding
