Statement from President Ojakian on Special Police Forces on Community College Campuses

Today, Mark E. Ojakian, President of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system, released the following statement regarding a proposed bill that would allow special police forces on the twelve state community colleges:

“In my visits to our schools and in conversations with our students, faculty, and administrators, a consistent theme has been the desire to feel safe on our campuses. Sadly, the tragic events that have occurred on college campuses over the last year and a half have brought more attention to safety concerns and have accelerated our response. Not every one of our community colleges wants special police forces, and each campus will have to make that decision for itself. This legislation permits those campuses that want special police forces to have them, but does not mandate it for those that don't."

In addition, President Ojakian testified before the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee. His testimony can be found here (pdf).

Background:

• A copy of Raised Bill 25 can be found here.
• Police Officers Standards Training (POST) certification will be required for all special police on CSCU campuses
• All four state universities (Eastern, Southern, Central and Western) have armed security along with the University of Connecticut and Naugatuck Valley Community College