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Volume 40, Issue 7.
December 3, 2002
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Arming of personnel creates mixed emotions on
campus
By Ian Schwartz
Mesa Legend
Three dead teachers, one dead student, and a campus that was left shaken
up; this is the aftermath of the shootings that recently took place at
the University of Arizona.
A disgruntle student easily made his way into a class room with a mission
on his mind and guns in his hands.
How well equipped is Mesa Community College to deal with an event such
as this?
Some steps have been taken to ensure the safety of students and faculty,
such as the hiring of new police officers on campus, a tightened relationship
with the Mesa police department, and an increase in security across the
board.
It has been the goal of the Directors of College Safety for several years
to arm the Police officers on campus for the protection of students, faculty
and any others that may be on campus.
All of the officers in the Maricopa County district are veteran officers,
many having over 10 years experience on the a force.
A large number of the officers were supervisors and or heads of departments
in their previous careers.
These municipal police officers are all Arizona Peace Officers Standards
and Training, (APOST) board certified.
This means they are charged with the same responsibility and authority
of any city, county and state officers in Arizona.
Many advocates of arming these officers feel that if they have the same
responsibility and under go the same training as a beat cop, then they
should be equipped with the same tools.
A letter of position was drawn up by the Directors of College Safety and
sent to faculty recently.
In describing the apprehension of a suspected criminal, the letter stated,
“Resistance to identification or arrest by criminals is common. This
resistance can range from simply lying about involvement in a crime to
using deadly force. Our officers are not equipped to defend themselves
against a suspect’s use of deadly force while performing the duties
that are required of them. Batons and pepper spray are no defense against
a firearm or edged weapon.”
With a large amount of students and faculty coupled with the openness
of the campuses, the safety department feels a small threat is eminent.
In the event of a violent act the police officers on campus are dependent
on local city police departments to help. The closest one is next to the
Dobson Ranch library, a Mesa police substation.
This issue is very important and has been challenged many times in the
past.
On several occasions the governing board has turned down the request by
college safety to arm the guards on campus.
Opponents of arming police feel that doing so may send the wrong message.
That message being, we are forced to resort to violence.
Issues can be resolved with out the use of deadly force.
Dr. Barry Vaughan of the Philosophy department said, “we can send
a message, that we are committed to solving conflicts with out the use
of deadly force.”
Dr. Vaughan went on to say that if the administration feels strongly about
arming the guards then it might be a good idea.
Others are sure of the idea and fully support the weapon being introduced
to the police.
Professor William Crawford of criminal justice studies, an advocate said,
“the police on campus are required to satisfy all standards of a
city police officer, and by arming them we can help to reduce the loss
of life in a incident that may take place at anyone of our campuses.”
Crawford feels that this is what the community wants.
People act in irrational ways sometimes and students and faculty are not
immune to these acts.
It is hard to tell if arming the guards will reduce the risk, or how effective
it will be stopping a possible criminal.
To think that guns are never around MCC is naive.
Recently in the college safety log a young women was caught selling stolen
books at the book store located across the street from MCC.
Once the Mesa police arrived the woman was searched and a hand gun was
found on her person.
Several feel that adding guns will not help the problem at all, and in
adversity encourage violence.
MCC student Martha Pritchard said, “I am not sure if it is going
to make that much of a difference, but I am not totally against the idea
though.”
Other students are all for the idea such as Darrnen Maxwell, “it
helps with safety, they can use them if they need to.”
Students gave input to other possible methods the police on campus could
use.
Ideas offered up included arming the guards with stun guns instead of
real guns or possibly rubber bullets.
One student suggested the police use a gun locker which could be easily
accessible in the case of an emergency.
Soon, this issue will be brought up to the Governing Board once again.
Whatever the outcome, steps are being taken to ensure a safe learning
environment at MCC.
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