DICKINSON, N.Y. – Broome Community College (BCC) President Dr. Laurence Spraggs announced June 13 that BCC is currently in the process of hiring and staffing a new campus safety department and will no longer contract with Broome Security. The new department is scheduled to be fully implemented by Aug. 1.

According to a statement released by the school, the decision to move forward with the implementation of an internal, on-campus department at this time comes on the heels of a recent announcement from Broome Security to discontinue security service to the college. The county advised BCC of the decision in a one-page letter on May 19.

  The New York State Court System plans to absorb county security officers across the state, making them state employees in an attempt to enhance operations at the state level. As part of this transition, the state will absorb a sizable portion of the current Broome security force, which means the county will hire new officers and transfer current ones to meet their own public safety needs.”The college has been evaluating how security is provided and has been working on a plan to transition to its own safety department over the course of the last two years,” said Spraggs. “The decision by the state to absorb Broome security officers requires the college to take action at this time but also provides a key opportunity to change and significantly enhance the way security is administered on campus.”

New York State requires all county security officers to have 35 hours of training. Broome County requires its officers to have 80 hours of training, more than twice what the state requires.  New York State requires community college peace officers to undergo 327 hours of training.

“Utilizing Peace Officers will significantly improve the quality, caliber and training of our security,” continued Dr. Spraggs. “Protecting our students and staff continues to be a top priority and the new safety department will enhance the level of service provided while also increasing accountability because the peace officers will be college employees and report directly to BCC officials.”

The new department will consist of 11 individuals, which includes administration and clerical staff. Previously Broome security provided four officers. The new peace officers will be armed with flashlights, handcuffs, radios, a baton and pepper spray. They will not carry any firearms.

While staffing the department and training the officers, BCC will hire and is currently in negotiations with a security firm to assist with coverage during this transition period. The Broome County Sheriff’s Department will also assist the college during the transition period by providing routine checks during the overnight hours.

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