Private college records exemption heads to governor’s desk

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Private college police departments won’t have to follow the same rules for crime reporting as public police departments under a bill that’s now on its way to the governor’s desk.

This would codify into state law federal requirements of private college crime reporting, which are limited compared to those of other police departments.

Executive Director Stephen Key of the Hoosier State Press Association says his organization is disappointed in the bill. He says private colleges should be held to the same standards of crime reporting.

The measure is backed by Independent Colleges of Indiana and the University Notre Dame, which is currently involved in a disclosure lawsuit with ESPN after the school refused a records request for possible crimes involving student-athletes.