KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Community colleges in the Kansas City area are debating whether or not security officers should be armed when patrolling campuses.
As it stands, campus safety officers at Johnson County Community College (JCCC) carry a radio and handcuffs. At nearby Metropolitan Community College (MCC), campus police carry radios only.
After reviewing the Missouri Campus Security Task Force report written by Gov. Matt Blunt, MCC reviewed the recommendations, including arming campus security, according to associate vice chancellor of college and community relations Tom Vansaghi.
Currently, explained associate director of public safety Domenick Brouillette, security officers learn how to deal with situations verbally, and talk their way out of an incident during a 40-hour training.
At JCCC, the topic of arming security officers came shortly after the Virginia Tech tragedy in April; however, they started seriously reviewing the information in September.
When a problem ensues at JCCC, the school looks to the Overland Park Police Department for assistance. Since classes began in August, there have 11 criminal investigations, including four cases of battery with one of those cases involving a law enforcement officer.
If approved, officers would possibly carry collapsible batons, pepper spray, stun guns, handguns or a combination. The officers will also be trained.
As it stands, Kansas City Kansas Community College has armed officers.
