City College administration is rolling out a plan to send seven Campus Security officers to go through police training.
The course, PC 832, is a 40 hour class that outlines the powers of arrest, how to properly observe and identify when to make an arrest and the powers of search and seizure. Security would learn what constitutes reasonable suspicion for a search and seizure, or probable cause to make an arrest.
The class is part of a plan to be implemented this coming fall and would give out penalties to people found smoking, biking and skateboarding on campus.
It would also involve dedicating a campus office to local police who could come and go to perform various duties when they’re near campus.
“The substation would allow local police to come and write reports and work whenever they’re in the area,” said Erik Fricke, head of campus security. “It would increase police presence on campus and give us a closer working relationship with local police.”
The police course also coincides with a class on legal and safe use of firearms in a police situation. However, campus officers will not be taking this part of the course, as it would be unnecessary for them to carry firearms on campus.
Joseph Sullivan, vice president of business services, addressed the Associated Student Government on March 20 during its weekly meeting to discuss this plan and proposed fines for violators of the new rules.
The fines are being proposed because of the numerous accidents involving skateboarders and bicyclists on campus. The first offense accrues a $25 fine, then $75 and up to $150.
The student senate opposed this motion after it was presented to them.
“It got denied because a lot of people thought we didn’t discuss it enough,” said Student Senator Ethan Bertrand. “It seemed unfair to students, and the problem could be handled in other ways without giving citations.”
Ryan Rullman is a City College student and semi-professional skateboarder. He did also express concerns regarding the motion.
“It’s outrageous,” he said. “Most people from here transfer to UCSB anyway where they have a skate path, it doesn’t make sense to not allow skaters on campus.”
