Special Constable Ian Holley has never spent as much time working in a McMaster
residence as he has this year. His common presence at Les Prince and Edwards Halls,
however, is not a reflection of any increase in student misbehavior. It's the result of an
innovative new pilot program that is giving members of the University's security services
team an up-close look at the on-campus living experience while introducing students
living in residence to the people who keep them safe 24 hours a day.

The idea of a Constables In Residence Program (CIRP), as it has come to be known, has
been around for some time, but didn't become reality until this year when it was taken up
by Holley and tweaked to fit current resources and goals. Pairing constables with all of
McMaster's residences, the program ensures that constables visit their adopted buildings
as much as possible, allowing them to get to know the students that live there and helping
to build a sense of trust on the part of both parties.

“We're used to dealing with the very small segment of the student population who can
cause problems,” said Holley. “But the more I become involved with other students, the
more I find thoughtful, funny, intelligent people who actually like having special constables
on campus. The experience so far has been truly awesome.”

According to Kristin Lennan, residence manager for Les Prince and Edwards, the positive
feelings are mutual.

“Students love having Ian around,” she said. “They're starting to understand that special
constables are part of the support team that is here to help them succeed at university.”

Lennan also says that the program has helped students in residence realize that they may
have more in common with security staff than they think.

“He participated in our opening ceremonies during Welcome Week, and when he's on the
night shift he'll drop by the guest registration desk and chat with the student staff, who
also work nights. He even came out and played in our inter-residence soccer-baseball
game,” she said. “That sort of involvement really means a lot to students, and shows them
the human face of the people who work as special constables.”

So comfortable are the students with Holley that the special constable was invited to Les
Prince and Edwards Halls' tongue-in-cheek Zombie Awareness Day last Saturday.

“The point of CIRP is for our staff to get to know the students in the McMaster community
and for us to work proactively instead of reactively, as is often the case,” said Cathy
O'Donnell, whose job it is as security manager to help develop and train frontline staff. “It's
a program that's unique to McMaster, and so far it has been very successful.”

“I think the program will have very positive long-term effects,” said Holley, “because the
students are finding out that there are human beings wearing these uniforms.”