The UW Commencement typically draws about 25,000 people to Husky Stadium. It promises to pack an emotional punch for the graduates who walk the stadium in front of their friends and family.

Parents and grandparents will pack into Husky Stadium on June 14 this year, willing to sit through all four-plus hours to see their student complete a major life chapter.

Behind the scenes, officers of the UWPD will also be there – rain or shine – to make sure the event is safe. Every year, the UWPD deploys around 40 or 50 officers to Husky Stadium to maintain security at the event.

“We’ve got a lot of experience with this event,” said Assistant Chief Ralph Robinson, “because we do it every year. We’ve got a routine.”

The routine begins the night before, when the stadium is sealed off and only the UWPD and several dogs trained to sniff out bombs perform a security sweep. While officers lead dogs throughout the stadium, other officers monitor the gates to make sure no one comes in. Robinson said that they have never found any explosives with the bomb dogs, but they have found items that aroused concern.

“We’ve had a few things that looked suspicious that had to be checked,” he said.

On the big day, UWPD officers are stationed on the field where the graduates walk. They’re also at the gates, where the officers provide back up to the Yellow Jackets, the hired security that checks bags and bodies of people entering the stadium, just like at football games. Officers are also posted outside the stadium.

“The biggest issue at an event like commencement is traffic control,” said Robinson. “We want people to be able to move in and out quickly and safely so they can enjoy the ceremony.”

Commencement is only half the size of football games in terms of turnout. Robinson said there are other differences between the event and the games that usually fill the stadium.

“Football games are competitive,” Robinson said. “You’ve got fans against fans, fans against the teams. There’s a lot of alcohol and the issues that stem from that: people drinking too much and getting into fights. Commencement is a celebration of the end of a four-year experience for somebody who is going to go on and do great things. At a football game, there is a winner and a loser. At Commencement, everybody wins.”

Robinson said that, even though policing this particular event is just part of the job, it still holds some additional meaning.

“It really is the capstone of why we’re all here,” he said. “Students are here to learn. Teachers are here to teach. And we’re here to provide security and keep you safe. Commencement is culmination of all that over the past four years.”