ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The Maryland General Assembly passed a bill allowing Johns Hopkins University to have its own private police force.
The Community Safety and Strengthening Act, also known as Senate Bill 793, is the final bill that will authorize JHU to establish their police department.
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Some JHU students and staff fought against the idea of the police force for many reasons, citing a lack of transparency and community engagement, selective usage of crime data by university administration, and the corruption in the Baltimore Police Department.
A university spokesperson said the institution will work with their students, staff, faculty and neighbors to consider varying viewpoints and ensure public accountability, public transparency and public input within a possible JHPD.
Now, the bill is scheduled to make it's way to the governor's desk for a signature, turning it into law.
Once the bill is signed into law it will go into effect on July 1.
To learn more about the bill, click here.
