Everything from a grenade, guns and 10-inch blades can be found in a case of confiscated weapons located in the Sacramento State police office.

The glass case is located in the hallway of the public safety dispatch center – giving those within the department a visual representation of the weapons confiscated over the years.

The idea originated with an officer during the late ‘80s who thought the compilation of these weapons could serve an educational purpose.

Ken Barnett, retired police chief, said the items collected were to function as an educational training piece within the department – enabling those in public safety to visually comprehend the weapons involved in their field of work.

The weapons in the case have been collected both on and off campus and are not all linked to a specific case, Barnett said.

“The Bayonet was involved in a case from the ‘80s,” Barnett said. “The police received a call about a suspicious person. The officer approached the individual, who had mental issues, and told (him or her) to drop the weapon …”

Barnett said the grenade was found by someone, but it was not part of a crime and was never active.

“A few of the guns are fake and were found in the Residence Halls,” he said. “Many of the weapons were found or dumped at events.”

University Police Detective Jason Johnston said in general there is no law against the length of a blade for folding knives. It is against the law though to carry and conceal such knives or keep them in the locked open position.

Sue Escobar, criminal justice professor and internship coordinator, said she feels the glass case represents the success of the campus police department.

“It’s a way of saying (they’ve) been doing (their) job,” Escobar said.

Alex Slavas can be reached at [email protected].