The San Matean

Issue date: 5/27/08 Section: Features

Media Credit: Ricky Light and Christopher Chai

Ambitious, motivated, free-thinking - college students. Their mecca of higher learning, free from discrimination against age, race, or gender - college. The last place one would think to bring violence or guns. Recently, this nightmare has become a reality more than enough times for all colleges to take a second look at their security and some deciding to arm their officers, not just for their own protection, but for the mere safety of students and faculty.

There are 110 community college campuses in California. 77 of those have police departments, out of those 77; all but four now carry firearms. The remaining group have non-sworn officers patrolling their campuses. Ohlone, Cerritos, San Francisco, and Pasadena City Colleges are not armed despite their urban locations. "Some people don't like guns. Some colleges would rather the sheriff not bring their guns when on campus," said Executive Director California College and University Police Chiefs Association, Philip Mullendore in Sacramento. All California State Universities' police are armed, except for San Francisco.

"A district board can elect not to arm their security," said Mullendore. The decision to have an armed or unarmed officer comes down from the college president or the district. "The role of security officers is to aid students on campus. Carrying arms would take away from that role, as their job then becomes the enforcement of laws," said Head of Campus Security at CSM, John Wells.

A security guard is one type of employee. A police officer is another. "The education code says that the president has the authority to grant his or her security or peace officers to carry firearms," said Wells. Most security officers are not armed, so those who would potentially carry arms would be peace officers, said Wells.

However, the selection process for a security officer is still very strict because the security officer would be working at a school, according to Mullendore. The "tactics, training, and experience" are what makes a police officer more valuable then a security officer in situations involving violence, said lieutenant of the San Mateo Police Department, Mike Brunacardi. As far as preparation in case of an active shooter, "We train and prepare for that," said Brunacardi.

The San Mateo County Community College District hired the Management and Policing consultant out of Belmont, Ca, a couple months ago, said Michael Claire, president of CSM.

Continued...

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