CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The University of Wyoming Police Department is creating a full-time crime prevention officer.

UW Police Chief Mike Samp says the idea is to free up other police officers to focus their efforts on law enforcement on the Laramie campus.

Samp says the new position will address all areas of crime prevention, including how to improve building and campus safety.

UW has 14 sworn police officers. The new crime prevention officer will begin duties this semester.

In 2011, UW reported a drop in rapes and burglaries but an increase in drug violations.

Reported rapes fell from nine in 2010 to four in 2011.

Samp attributes the drop in rapes to education efforts.

Drug arrests increased from 48 in 2010 to 96 in 2011. Samp says most drug violations involved marijuana.

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