Thursday, October 28, 2010

MCC Board Considering Transitioning to A Law Enforcement Agency For Campus Safety

McHenry County College Board of Trustees is meeting this evening at 7:00 pm in the Board Room of the College, 8900 U.S. Highway 14, Crystal Lake.

In addition to the necessary routine matters for the Board's approval, one report for the Board to consider is the transitioning of the College's Public Safety Department to become a Law Enforcement Agency.

This topic has been presented to the Board in the recent meetings, but further information was needed before a decision could be made. Currently the Campus and Public Safety Department members are sworn police officers.

The Illinois Community College Act authorizes districts to appoint both law enforcement and non-law enforcement officers to their security forces. An increase in college campus violence nationally has caused reevaluation of campus safety procedures at most campuses.

Considerable searching was done with other area campus. At a September meeting the Board of Trustees was presented with information on the subject and discussed possibilities as well as costs. The Board instructed administration to prepare a recommendation for the October Board meeting regarding transiting a Campus Public Safety Department to a Law Enforcement Agency.

The Board is expected to consider this recommendation at tonight's Board of Trustees meeting.

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