UNC Police has a new leader following the retirement of former UNC Police Chief and Director of Public Safety Jeff McCracken in July. David L. Perry, who previously served as chief of the Florida State University Police Department, will officially step into the position on Sept. 3.
Like many colleges and universities, UNC and FSU have a documented history of sexual assault on campus. The two schools have come under fire for the way they handle sexual assault cases; in fact, both were featured in the 2015 documentary “The Hunting Ground.”
The issue of campus sexual assault is primarily why Perry’s hiring may be cause for concern. In 2012, two female students accused FSU quarterback Jameis Winston of sexual assault while Perry served as chief of police. FSU was slow to move forward with the investigation, ultimately terminating it altogether. In the meantime, however, Winston continued to play for FSU, eventually winning a Heisman Trophy and bringing home a national championship.
Despite the many transgressions committed by UNC Police in the past, the Editorial Board remained optimistic in the wake of McCracken’s retirement, hoping that new leadership would bring desperately needed reform to the force. But Perry’s history at FSU raises questions about whether we can rely on him to handle campus sexual assault cases appropriately.
It goes without saying that Perry’s hiring comes at a time when the relationship between UNC Police and the community is especially fraught with tension and fear. It’s this lack of trust that prompted interim Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz to assemble a campus safety commission back in March (we’re not sure what they actually do, though).
UNC Police has repeatedly failed to ensure the safety and protection of much of the community — sexual assault victims, activists and students of color in particular. Marginalized students shouldn’t have to beg for respect and basic acknowledgment of their humanity, especially from an institution whose sole job is to protect them. Every student who calls Carolina home has a right to feel safe here, and we deserve someone who will do whatever they can to make that happen.
We need a leader who will, first and foremost, listen to our concerns and make them a priority — not someone else who will silence them. And as much as we want to believe that Perry is the man for the job, his record may suggest otherwise.
Only time will tell whether Perry will serve our community better than his predecessor. Though the fact that Perry is a person of color may be encouraging for Black and brown students on campus, we must remember that he is working within an institution. As such, we cannot burden him as a monolith nor expect that his presence alone will repair relationships between UNC Police and students of color.
The administration should know that trust and respect must be earned — they aren’t simply given. It’s no secret that the Editorial Board has often criticized UNC Police and its continued abdication and wrongdoing. Don’t think that that stops here. Regardless of who is at the helm, we will remain skeptical, because we believe that it is our responsibility to hold those in power accountable.
