Around Campus

Student Steward

Officer Raashan Giles serves as student liaison in Vandenburg Hall

Oakland University Police Department officer Raashan Giles stands outside next to Bear Lake on campus

OUPD

icon of a calendarNovember 15, 2017

icon of a pencilBy Emell Derra Adolphus

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As the student liaison in Vandenburg Hall, Oakland University Police Department officer Raashan Giles is available to talk about whatever comes to mind.

“My philosophy in police work in general is: If I don’t know you, it’s very difficult for me to give you service,” says Giles. “I have to talk to people in order to become familiar with them. This position gives me the opportunity to better do that. The more I know, the more I can help.”

Giles keeps office hours in Vandenburg room 111 weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“Sometimes if it is something they need to call and talk to a dispatcher about, they can come down and talk right to me,” he says. “I am responsible for everything in the dorms that is student related in these areas. So they won’t have to call the station or call for a car.”

In addition to Giles’ role as student liaison, he is a criminal justice advisor. His role as liaison serves as the perfect example of how to build positive community partnerships, he explains.

“Students are getting to know me, a police officer, and are often times having their first interactions with a police officer,” he says. “We get to know each other, and they see that police are human. It builds that trust. It builds that familiarity and that comfort so they can come and talk to me so that I can help them.”

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