Alexandra Bode
Staff Reporter
Butler University Police Department’s detective knows what it’s like to be a college student—because he is one.
Detective Bruce Allee decided last year to continue his college career by working toward a master’s degree in history at Butler.
From the start, Allee was destined to work at Butler University.
In 2010, while working as a security guard at Conseco Fieldhouse — now Banker’s Life Fieldhouse — Allee received the opportunity to sit on the Butler bench during a March Madness playoff game.
“They asked all the officers which bench they wanted, and no one wanted Butler so I said I would do it,” Allee said.
Little did Allee know, he would be working for BUPD shortly after.
WABASH GRAD TO JUNIOR HIGH TEACHER TO SEX CRIMES COP
Allee’s story starts 60 miles west of Indianapolis, in Turkey Run, Ind., where he grew up.
He attended college at Wabash University, where he graduated with a political science major and a history minor.
His original plan was to attend law school, but after thinking long and hard Allee said, “The drive was not there.”
For a while after graduation, he spent his time teaching and coaching junior high students on the west side of Indianapolis.
Allee was ready to attain his teaching certificate when he decided to start working as a street officer for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department in 1987.
As a street officer, “every day was a new day,” Allee said.
After working for a while on the streets, he began working in the sex crimes department.
Allee said the stress of the job was worth the payoff when he helped get three middle-aged men put away for their actions in repeated, violent sex crimes.
“You can put up with that stress knowing you get that kind of reward,” Allee said.
Bill Weber, Assistant Chief of Police Operations at BUPD, said BUPD pays off tremendously from Allee’s experience in sex crimes.
“That’s good for us, because with a sensitive investigation, you want someone who knows what they are doing,” Weber said.
After three and a half years in sex crimes, Allee went back on the streets to “take the stress off.”
He then served as a training officer for eight years.
Allee said he liked getting to know the new officers as well as passing on what he had learned throughout his career thus far.
NEW OPPORTUNITIES AT BUTLER
Two and a half years ago, BUPD Chief Ben Hunter was looking to hire two new officers.
Allee and Weber applied around the same time and were both hired.
Shortly after Allee started his job as BUPD detective, Hunter said he needed someone to accompany former Butler President Bobby Fong, Mrs. Fong, Blue II, Blue’s handler Michael Kaltenmark and his wife Tiffany Kaltenmark to the Final Four game in Houston, Texas.
Allee was presented with the opportunity.
“I had a blast, except for the final game,” Allee said. “It was a nightmare that the players couldn’t wake up from.”
After attending two March Madness games, Allee said if the Bulldogs ever make it to the Final Four again, he will not be on the bench.
“I am not a superstitious guy, but when you’re 0 for 2, it is time for someone else to go,” Allee said.
A FELLOW STUDENT
While not completing his duties as detective, Allee spends his time on campus in the classroom.
“At this point, I do not know where this will be applicable in my life, but it seems wasteful not to take advantage of what’s offered here,” Allee said.
Alle is working toward a master’s degree in history.
While taking classes, he has been able to learn about new technology in the classroom.
Also, Allee said taking classes has helped him form positive connections with students.
“Before getting in the classroom, most of my contact with students was because of what they did, usually on the negative side,” Allee said.
Unlike a typical student, Allee has to juggle his classes with his job at BUPD and raising a family.
“[Associte history professor] Deno, in particular, is kicking my butt,” Allee said.
History professor John Cornell taught Allee’s 20th-century Europe class last year and said Allee’s experiences benefitted the class overall.
“Bruce brought a level of reflection to the class because, some of the things we worked on, he had lived through,” Cornell said. “With readings over Cold War and the collapse of the Berlin Wall, Bruce was constantly testing the readings with his own experiences and memories of the events.”
Allee said he, as well as the other officers that make up BUPD, chose to work at Butler because they love the campus.
When he entered campus law enforcement, Allee said he had to change his approach as it differs greatly from regular law enforcement.
“The kids here are smart, well-informed, and will challenge you if they don’t think you are doing your job right,” Allee said. “They keep us sharp.”
As he has worked at Butler for a few years, it was difficult for Allee to choose a favorite memory here. After much consideration, though he was able to pick one.
“My favorite memory here at Butler was getting to meet Desmond Tutu and help get him where he needed to be,” Allee said. “It was a very cool experience.”
