The clutter of lost items in the Ballantine Hall lost and found constantly changes as students come by to claim belongings and janitors drop off items from other campus buildings. But what never changes about the lost and found is the presence of an IU police officer or cadet behind the desk waiting to help.
While students and janitors often take lost items from various buildings on campus to the central lost and found in Ballantine 031, IUPD is primarily responsible for its daily operation. It may seem like a trivial duty for the campus police force, but IUPD Lt. Craig Munroe says operating the central lost and found is a serious part of law enforcement.
“We secure property, and that falls under law enforcement,” Munroe says.
The lost and found is also a way for IUPD student cadets to gain experience. During the school year, Munroe says cadets are mostly responsible for managing shifts behind the desk at the lost and found, while officers typically help out during the summer.
“The cadets do it because you don’t need to be a police officer to do that assignment,” he says. “And it’s a good way to meet the public and represent the department.”
But working the lost and found shift also allows these cadets a chance to practice real-life police duties.
“It gives them a chance to work with property, and to develop a report at the end of the day and turn that in,” Munroe says.
