CLC board considers arming campus safety officers

Campus safety officers at the College of Lake County could carry firearms under a proposal that would authorize converting the college's Campus Safety office to a police department.

Currently the college's 14 officers are only authorized to carry batons and pepper spray. If a situation requires greater force, they seek assistance from neighboring municipal police departments.

The College of Lake County Board of Trustees considered the policy proposal on Tuesday and will consider it for a vote at its next meeting on May 27.

The college's Campus Safety office is staffed by 14 sworn officers who have completed police academy training, and five "associates" who serve as security personnel. The sworn officers complete firearms training each year.

The officers have been seeking the change in departmental status and the ability to carry firearms for several years, according to Campus Safety Director Kevin Lowry.

The proposal to convert the college's Campus Safety office into a police department would cost an additional $200 per officer in insurance costs per year, he said. All officers would have to pass a psychological screening test and complete regular firearms training.

"Our concern is ensuring that officers are fully protected so that they can come to the aid of students, should a violent situation arise," he said, and pointed to the recent shooting at Northern Illinois University in February.

If approved, the Campus Safety office would change its name to the CLC Police Department and go into effect in October 2008.

Lowry also presented an overview of the college's newly revised Emergency Operations Plan, which started in the wake of the Virginia Tech shootings last year. The revised plan has added sections on dealing with individuals in crisis, emergency communications, shooters on campus and other violence incidents. It also covers other emergency situations such as weather threats and health and medical risks.

Additionally, the Board of Trustees elected Richard Anderson of Grayslake as chairman and Philip Carrigan of Waukegan as vice-chairman. They both will serve one term. Anderson previously served as vice-chairman, and replaces William Griffin of Lake Forest who has served as chairman since November 2004.