"Ready to take this next step:" Marquette University police force swears in 19 safety officials

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- History was made today on Marquette's campus. 19 public safety officials were sworn in to the newly adopted Marquette University Police Department. It's the first private school in the state of Wisconsin to do such a thing.

Each of these men and women being sworn in on Friday have served on the public safety force for years. They went through hours of training, review and tests -- and today became members of the elite.

For on lieutenant, it's a dream she's had since she was three.

"It feels very legitimizing, as an education institution guided by strong values, we're just ready to take this next step," said Jill Weisensel, Marquette University Police Department.

Surrounded by friends and family, they are now the newest and first police officers on Marquette's campus.

The chief of police says after decades of service, this was the next logical step of the department.

"Before, if we came upon an incident, we could stabilize it but we would have to contact the Milwaukee Police Department to ultimately resolve it. We were very reactionary -- as a police department we will have tools available to us that will certainly make us proactive," said Marquette University Chief of Police, Paul Mascari.

Mascari adds Marquette is largely a pedestrian campus with lots of traffic and this move will only allow them to better serve the university's community.

"It definitely enhances the safety in the neighborhood," said Mascari.

The university expects to have 35 commissioned officers in place by the start of 2015-2016 school year.