Drexel to develop sworn police force

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - March 7, 2008 School officials say they have plans for a 29-officer force by the end of 2010. Drexel police would have the same authority as Philadelphia police officers, including the ability to make arrests and carry guns.

Currently, Drexel public safety officers are contracted through a private security firm. They are unarmed and cannot make arrests.

The university also contracts two off-duty Philadelphia police officers in uniform and marked cruisers to patrol campus.

Drexel University is in West Philadelphia and has about 13,000 undergraduate students.