Johnson County Community College
Press Release

College Information and Publications
913-469-8500
Julie Haas, Director, ext. 3120
Peggy Graham, Writer, ext. 3425
Tyler Cundith, Sports Information Director, ext. 3122

4/17/2008
Story by Julie Haas

JCCC trustees approve campus police department

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The Johnson County Community College board of trustees approved the establishment of a campus police department at their meeting April 17. The college will issue firearms to those officers who are Kansas peace officer standards and training (POST) certified.

“The safety of our students is our primary concern,” said Terry A. Calaway, JCCC president. “Our officers will work with Overland Park police to protect our students, our campus and the community.”

Seven of the 25 officers on campus are already POST-certified. Eight more will be certified this summer. Three more certified officers and an emergency response coordinator have been requested in the college’s new budget year, which begins July 1. The certified officers will be carrying .40-caliber handguns by late summer.

In March, certified officers were trained in the use of OC (pepper) spray and a baton. All officers will be outfitted with bulletproof vests. The department will also purchase a police car equipped with a built-in radio, lights, siren, public address system, and a cage in the new budget year.

“Our certified officers are a highly experienced group,” said Wayne Brown, executive
vice president, Administration. “Most retired after 30 years on a local police force in Overland Park, Kansas City, Mo., or another city in Johnson County. Combined, they have 677 years of experience in police work. We’re fortunate to have such a highly skilled force.”

The college has been studying the possibility of making the change from a public safety department to a police department since September 2007. Information and feedback regarding such a change were gathered from a survey of faculty, staff and students; the Student Senate; President’s Council; Executive Council; the Faculty Association leadership; the College Emergency Response Planning committee; public discussions; KU and K-State; and the schools that make up the board of directors of the League for Innovation in the Community College.

“Becoming a police department, rather than a department of public safety, will mean changes in addition to arming the officers,” said Brown. “All of our operating procedures and job descriptions will need to be revised. Ongoing training will be required for our certified officers, and their pay will need to reflect the change in their position. This is not a change we undertake lightly.”