Public Safety Signals

Tal Millet Says:

Dr. Tiffin and Pascarella,

Thank you for providing us with the opportunity to discuss issues pertaining to public safety. The horrible events of Virginia Tech do seem to raise some major questions related to the safety of those attending colleges around the country. As Dr. Pascarella indicated in his opening post – the human element plays a pivotal role in public safety; a factor one ought to take into account when considering prevention policies, procedures, training, and the like.

As the former Deputy Chief Public Defender of the State of Israel I have often witnessed the human element involved in public safety. Currently, a PhD learner in the I/O psychology program (in the first dissertation course; PSY9301), my research focuses on police officers.

I look forward to enlightening discussions.

Tal

May 23rd, 2007 at 7:43 pm

Charles Tiffin Says:

Tal, thank you for your comments. I couldn’t agree more that the human element is key! It also seems that you have a wealth of rich experiences from your own professional background that will serve you well in your research on police officers. The best to you in your dissertation and beyond.
Charles

May 29th, 2007 at 7:22 pm

George Greader Says:

Dr Tiffin
Mr. Healy’s May 15, 2007 statement on the Best Practices for Making College Campuses Safe was certainly a step in the right direction. His work with the IACLEA and close association with the IACP speaks to commitment in the campus security areas. Our recent tragedy at Virginia Tech serves to highlight growing concerns in this area.

As evident by Capella University’s newly established Public Safety Program law enforcement officers are continuing their education at the college level as they have since the early 70s when many colleges started Criminal Justice curriculum’s.

Considering the safety aspect at our colleges and the presence of law enforcement personnel on campus the issue of police peace officers carrying weapons off duty on campus while they attend class and/or teach class becomes an issue. Some departments mandate that officers carry a weapons 247 while others Department give them the option.

Recently House Resolution, HR 218 was passed and signed by President George W. Bush. It basically allows present and retired police officers to carry their weapons anywhere in the United States at any time. This authorization prior to passing of the resolutions was limited to police officers generally carrying their weapons in their own communities. Today it is a different situation. It would be interesting to hear by means of this blog the opinions of students and teachers whether police officers or not on the subject of armed men and women on campus carrying weapons.

May 30th, 2007 at 9:47 am

John Means Says:

Many in our society believe that law enforcement can protect them, their children and their property. Most of us would not want to live in a society were that is possible.

With that being said programs that train law enforcement in how to handle this type of incident are imperitive. I have been involved for the last three years at my agency in an Active Shooter training course. We have trained and refreshed every sworn Officer in our County in this discipline. While we never know for sure how people will react, hopefully this will help them the first time they encounter an active shooter.

As to the time lag between the two shootings only a fourtune teller could have known what his next step would be. For the most part we all assume that a suspect not at the scene is doing his best to escape.

June 2nd, 2007 at 3:43 pm

Charles Says:

John, this sounds like an excellent training program and certainly a needed one!

George, HB 218 (Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act, 18 US Code 926B and 926C) provided sweeping rights to active and retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed weapons within the U.S.
I agree that it would be interesting to hear from others as to their view or if most knew about this 2004 law change. The Act can be viewed here in its entirety: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/nrp/leosa.html

June 5th, 2007 at 4:00 pm

George Greader Says:

Dr Tiffin
Allow me to comment on a fact about HS218 that is somewhat unknown by most. Basically the House Resolution signed into law by President George W. Bush allows active and retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed weapons anywhere in the United States. However, there is a stipulation. The stipulation is that they must meet or ‘be qualified’ with their weapons every year. The present problem for all involved is what agency will perform the qualifying test. For example, let us examine a retiree from the New York City Police Department who has moved to another state. Who will qualify him. If it is the agency that he worked for, then he must go back to New York once a year to qualify. If it is the agency in the state that he presently lives, will that agency perform a qualification. At present a majority of the law enforcement qualifying agencies do not want to be involved in this process of qualifying retired or active police officers from another state to carry a weapon under a license by their state mainly due to liability and expense. Imagine the expense and qualifying nightmare for all of the retired police officers living in Florida. Wow!!!. The issue of HS218 is far from being resolved and at present I must say in general not sanctioned by many states.
George

June 13th, 2007 at 9:33 pm

Brian Spicer Says:

In this wonderful nation of ours, when an opportunity presents itself, entrepreneurs have always stepped up to fill a need. If there is a need for annual firearms training for retired law enforcement officers, you can bet there are or will be private companies springing up to meet the requirements of HB218.

George, you mentioned “At present a majority of the law enforcement qualifying agencies do not want to be involved in this process of qualifying retired or active police officers from another state to carry a weapon under a license by their state mainly due to liability and expense.” I am very interested in where you got your information.

June 17th, 2007 at 11:38 pm