1.33 Armed Security Personnel
I. Purpose
Bucks County Community College is committed to providing a safe environment for every individual who is on one of the college campuses, either as a visitor, student or staff member.
II. Scope
This policy is applicable to those selected members of the Safety and Security staff who are approved to carry weapons.
III. General
The arming of selected Safety and Security staff is intended to provide the college with the capability to respond to and expeditiously resolve an active shooter situation.
While the goal in every case is to resolve situations without the use of force, actions of violent individuals may dictate that force is necessary. When force is required, armed Security and Safety personnel shall only use that level of force which is objectively reasonable, and force should be used as a last resort. Armed personnel should always strive to de-escalate confrontations through verbal communications, warnings and other methods with the goal of preventing the need to use force whenever reasonably possible. Following any event in which a firearm is discharged on campus, the Office of Security and Safety and its personnel will cooperate fully with any law enforcement investigation.
Security and Safety personnel authorized to carry weapons will adhere to all procedures specified in departmental policy and procedure including the following: prerequisites for being armed, training in use of force, unreasonable force, determining reasonable force, and the use of force continuum, medical aid, reporting, submission of weapon for investigation, assessment of officer following use of deadly force, administrative review and weapons protocols.
IV. Procedures
None
V. Approval
Board of Trustees – February 8, 2018
VI. Responsibility
Vice President Administrative Affairs