NIU is a diverse university, and the police force that governs campus reflects it.

University Police has 43 sworn officers and they come from many different backgrounds. Of the 43 officers, 63 percent are white and 26 percent are black. Other ethnic backgrounds such as hispanic, American-Indian and Asian-American make up the remaining 11 percent. The department is also made up of 21 percent female officers.

Lt. Curtis Young, who has served since 1995, said UP is more diverse than any department he has seen.

“When it comes to diversity, you have to have diversity in thought,” Young said. “That comes with differences in gender, race and sexual orientation.”

Assistant sociology professor Kirk Miller said police departments should reflect their jurisdictions.

“It results in a more democratic policing,” Miller said. “The public would be more supportive of policing.”

Some students agree with Miller’s claim. If students know an officer has had similar experiences in life, they feel more comfortable around them.

“If someone goes through the same struggle, you may feel like you would get a break,” said Luther Dixon, a freshman electrical engineering major.

Young said working alongside officers with experiences different from his own has opened his mind. Growing up in Iowa didn’t provide him with the same experiences as an officer who grew up in the inner-city. “When you have a group of people going toward a common goal with different backgrounds, it helps to better promote the community,” Young said. “Working with people with the same experiences, it’s not very diverse. There is no debate.”