York University plans to equip its security staff with handcuffs and batons in response to perceptions that its campus is unsafe.

The university has had a longstanding policy of non-intervention by security staff, simply calling police when they saw suspicious or violent activity.

But university sources familiar with the issue revealed Tuesday that senior management hopes to implement significant policy changes during the fall semester to improve student safety and combat campus crime.

The use of collapsible batons and handcuffs will allow security staff to intervene and also apprehend and detain suspects.

York spokesman Wallace Pidgeon said the university would not confirm any changes until it discusses them with employees. One internal memo indicated York will disclose some details to staff on Thursday.

York, the country’s third largest university with 54,000 students, has had the non-intervention policy because staff have inadequate protection.

The policy took root about a decade ago when the Ontario labour ministry supported union arguments that the school would need to equip security staff better for interventions. But York told them to not risk their safety by intervening.

Security staff wear bulletproof vests but carry no other protective gear.

At many other universities and colleges, security staff have proper protective equipment and the discretionary power to restrain suspects, arrest them and then call police.

The policy change comes in the aftermath of high-profile sexual assaults and robberies, as well as concerns from students and their associations about inadequate security at the sprawling campus in northwest Toronto for several years.

An independent safety audit last year recommended York review its non-intervention policy and implement an effective “force response model . . . in consultation with students, faculty and staff.”

One source said York is clearly responding to widespread concerns and the potential impact on the university’s reputation and future enrolment.

“I know enrolment has been affected,” said the source who requested anonymity. “Safety and security are among the main reasons for that.”

In addition to batons and handcuffs, the sources said, York considered equipping security with pepper spray but quickly shelved the idea because only sworn peace officers, special constables and police can legally use it.

Despite its size, York employs only about 50 people in its security department. However, the university is hiring another 12 staff in response to the safety audit’s recommendations, Pidgeon said.

The university is also “exploring” another recommendation for the development of a new security model that balances community and enforcement needs, said Pidgeon, York’s associate director of communications.

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Rob Kilfoyle, director of security services, could not be reached for comment but he indicated pending changes without identifying them in a recent email to staff.

“There are some exciting changes coming down the pipe for Security Services,” he said in inviting staff to a Thursday morning meeting. “We will roll out some of the changes that are set to take place over the coming months.”