Canine units, bag checks and visual inspections will be part of the security at this year’s commencement ceremony where Secretary of Defense Robert Gates will speak.

“Commencement is always a big commitment for the university in terms of traffic, security and law-enforcement issues,” said UWPD assistant chief Ralph Robinson. “The invitation is ext-ended to various dignitaries to come to campus to speak, and we coordinate with the various agencies to make sure that it is safe and successful.”

The UWPD began preparations for the arrival of the Secretary of Defense about a month ago, working with the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) on the details of when Gates will arrive, how long his visit will last, and his route of departure to ensure his safety and security during the visit.

“We’re not making any major security changes for him since we have an extensive security process anyway for the ceremony,” said UWPD Special Events Sergeant Cham Kao. “Since it’s our campus, we have jurisdiction, but we work jointly with [the Army CID].”

Sara Griggs, director of the UW Office of Ceremonies, said there have been security measures taken for commencement since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The UWPD bomb detection canine and canine officer will conduct a sweep of the stadium with several state patrol canines prior to the ceremony. Additionally, the UWPD canine unit will check the vehicles of individuals coming to the event.

“[This] is similar to other years because we do always tend to have speakers that are high profile in one way or another,” Griggs said. “We do have a standard protocol, such as checking bags, to make sure that [nothing] that could pose a danger is brought into Husky Stadium.”

Attendees of the event will be expected to follow the guidelines of Husky Stadium. This means that weapons, horns, unauthorized banners, signs and leaflets will not be allowed in the facility.

“We certainly see it as a very festive occasion for students and their families, and we certainly want that to be a safe and memorable occasion,” Robinson said.

Some students consider the Secretary of Defense to be a controversial choice as this year’s commencement speaker and plan to protest at the event. With respect to protesters, Kao said the department usually tries to provide a safe location where students can be seen without interfering with people going to and from the event.

“We have an open campus where people are free to express their ideas in a public forum,” Robinson said. “The only thing we ask is that they do not break the law or impede on the rights of others.”

Reach editorial assistant Lexie Krell at news@dailyuw.com.