Associations Plays An Important Role
Skipworth, who’s never lost his political touch, has also stayed actively involved in professional organizations and legislative efforts to improve the position of Claremont’s Campus Safety Department along with public safety departments throughout California.
“I’m versed in legislature and in turn I’m able to inform my peers to help illustrate how they can be more effective advocates by working with local and state representatives,” Skipworth says. “It’s about forming a unified voice so when we’re advocating for a particular bill, we’re doing it as part of a larger community. We help our legislators understand our concerns and how we function.”
Skipworth is an active member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) and the FBI National Academy Associates (FBINAA) in addition to serving as the Legislative Activities Chair for the California College and University Police Chiefs Association (CCUPCA).
“Being a part of associations is an incredibly powerful and valuable resource when members take demonstrative action to learn more about topics, to meet people, to set up conferences and find innovative ways to work together,” Skipworth says. “It’s about learning best practices and building off of networking opportunities.”
With the backing of the association, Skipworth has been part of important initiatives to develop public policies and anti-crime measures that have gained the support of lawmakers in both chambers of California’s legislature.
Due in no small part to Skipworth’s guidance, Gov. Jerry Brown has signed multiple CCUPCA-backed bills over the last two years.
These include Senate Bill 424, which allows campus police to be equipped with body cameras and to record phone calls as part of criminal investigations; Senate Bill 707, which prohibits anyone with a concealed weapon permit to bring a gun on a school campus without authorization while also allowing honorably retired police officers to carry guns on school campuses; and Senate Bill 636, which requires post-secondary schools to give police the identity of persons representing serious or ongoing threats to the safety of the campus community.
Skipworth also assumes a leadership role in the campus security industry by contributing to various publications and blogs and regularly participating in security conferences with his peers, including the Campus Safety Conference, where he gave a formal presentation in August.
Caring Attitude Makes The Difference
Skipworth recently gave a football scouting book to Didier written by Steve Belichick, the father of legendary New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick. With no intention of coaching an NFL team any time soon, Didier wondered how it was relevant. By the time he finished the book, however, Didier was amazed with how many lessons were applicable to his role with the department.
The gift is just another instance of Skipworth finding creative paths to improve his department.
“When you’re having success, that’s when it’s most important to be evaluating your processes,” Skipworth says. “New challenges are always going to come, and you have to prepare for that. You want to be frequently reinforcing best practices and good behaviors. If we can do that, we’ll get the best out of our institutions.”
That relentless search for methods to improve is an essential part of getting things done in the Consortium. Where others may get discouraged walking seven different college presidents through an idea, Skipworth recognizes the importance of having everyone on board and stays positive.
“With seven different campuses you have seven different cultures to deal with,” Didier explains. “Stan acknowledges that change will be incremental, but he’s already accomplished so much because he works well with every group, from students to campus executives.”
Another good example of Skipworth’s commitment to the Consortium came at a recent open house at Pomona College. Members of the Campus Safety Department had just finished a 13-hour day and, with no higher ups attending, had every excuse to blow it off.
But when Didier walked into the event, there was Skipworth enthusiastically chatting with some student resident directors.
“Now even students are interested in campus safety, and that’s what Stan brings,” Didier explains. “He attends not just functions, but vigils, debates, athletic events. He doesn’t do it to be seen, he’s not wearing campus safety clothes. He does it because he really cares.”
When Didier left the open house that night, Skipworth was still there pleasantly talking with Pomona College officials.
There are other people who could have forced through changes and had success with The Claremont Colleges, but Skipworth’s ability do so in a way that makes everyone happy, without regard for how difficult that path may be, is truly what makes him the perfect man for the job.
