2008 Woodie Awards
Budgetary limits postpone replacing security position
Kori Welch
Issue date: 3/27/03 Section: Front Page
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Citing current budgetary limits, college officials have decided to postpone advertising the position of the public safety and services coordinator, which has been vacant since Feb. 13 following Rodger Greer's resignation.
According to Jack Rutherford, physical plant director, three security officers are providing coverage for the campus. Rutherford said each security guard is working 10-hour shifts to cover the shifts normally patrolled by the public safety and services coordinator. Rutherford said security is on campus during the most at risk times. In the absence of a coordinator, safety and security officers are reporting directly to Rutherford.
"Crime prevention is one of the department goals," Rutherford said. "This is an area that is in need of extensive evaluation and procedures need to be made more explicit."
Although the department has written procedures, Rutherford said they are being reevaluated and revised as necessary.
Rutherford said he was confident that the security department has policies that encourage accurate and prompt reporting of all crimes to the campus police and the appropriate police agencies.
"The campus officers enforce all campus rules, policies and procedures," Rutherford said. "They respond to all calls for assistance, however, if a legal issue arises they contact the local police department and assist them in handling the case if needed."
Rutherford said contact and crime-reporting information is included in the student handbook and the residential life handbook.
Other area colleges' security departments are comparable to GCCC's.
Howard Bright, security supervisor at Seward County Community College, said they employ four security officers.
"We have in-house security, so all the officers are direct employees of the college," Bright said. "We are not associated with any other law enforcement agency, although we do work in close conjunction with those outside agencies."
Seward's coverage consists of 148 hours, seven days a week. Officers work three shifts on weekdays, and staggered shifts on weekends. Bright said the key to their coverage is to avoid developing a pattern.
According to Jack Rutherford, physical plant director, three security officers are providing coverage for the campus. Rutherford said each security guard is working 10-hour shifts to cover the shifts normally patrolled by the public safety and services coordinator. Rutherford said security is on campus during the most at risk times. In the absence of a coordinator, safety and security officers are reporting directly to Rutherford.
"Crime prevention is one of the department goals," Rutherford said. "This is an area that is in need of extensive evaluation and procedures need to be made more explicit."
Although the department has written procedures, Rutherford said they are being reevaluated and revised as necessary.
Rutherford said he was confident that the security department has policies that encourage accurate and prompt reporting of all crimes to the campus police and the appropriate police agencies.
"The campus officers enforce all campus rules, policies and procedures," Rutherford said. "They respond to all calls for assistance, however, if a legal issue arises they contact the local police department and assist them in handling the case if needed."
Rutherford said contact and crime-reporting information is included in the student handbook and the residential life handbook.
Other area colleges' security departments are comparable to GCCC's.
Howard Bright, security supervisor at Seward County Community College, said they employ four security officers.
"We have in-house security, so all the officers are direct employees of the college," Bright said. "We are not associated with any other law enforcement agency, although we do work in close conjunction with those outside agencies."
Seward's coverage consists of 148 hours, seven days a week. Officers work three shifts on weekdays, and staggered shifts on weekends. Bright said the key to their coverage is to avoid developing a pattern.