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

7/22/08
Story by Peggy Graham

JCCC Police Officers to Take Oath of Office

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – After a decision by the Johnson County Community College board of trustees to allow Kansas-certified police officers to carry weapons on campus, the college will hold its first police officer swearing-in ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, in the Capitol Federal Conference Center of the Regnier Center.

Fourteen officers will take an oath of employment as members of the JCCC Campus Police Department, most of whom are retired officers from the Overland Park or Kansas City, Mo., police departments. Combined, officers in JCCC’s police department have 677 years of experience in police work, according to Dr. Wayne Brown, JCCC executive vice president, Administration

The board approved the establishment of a Campus Police Department in April, when the decision was made to issue firearms to officers who meet Kansas Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) requirements.

“Certified officers must have 40 hours of contin¬uing education and qualify with a handgun annually,” said Larry Dixon, deputy chief, Campus Police Department.

In the past, OPPD handled police reporting and use of force on campus, duties now under the jurisdiction of JCCC’s Campus Police Department.

“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, campus and the community.”

OPPD will provide an honor guard at the ceremony followed by the administration of oath and remarks by board of trustees chair, Shirley Brown-VanArsdale, and Calaway. A reception follows.