Campus police offer multitude of workshops
Larry W. Ragalnd Jr.
May 7, 2010
Filed under Administration, Events, News
You may not be aware of it but Chief of Police Steven J. Dawson and his cadre of officers in the Solano Community College District of California, offer far more services than dealing with campus law enforcement. Offering a large selection of workshops ranging from public awareness to active shooters, to Automatic External Defibrillator classes, these dedicated officers have got students at SCC and elsewhere covered.
First putting on the uniform in 1978, Chief Dawson has spent his life serving the public. His past employment experiences at places such as the Richmond Police Department and the Marin Community College Police Department, have given him the knowledge to help
custom design workshops for a given communities needs.
“Most people don’t realize that we have such a large range of services,” says Chief Dawson. “If someone has a need for a specific workshop, they can make a suggestion and we can customize it to fit their particular needs”.
Unfortunately, due to budget cuts, such workshops have been cut back because of the lack of personal to do them.
One of the most successful of these workshops is the Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) class. With 80 people trained; both staff and students, and the life saving equipment being installed in various buildings on campus, this is but one example of the success of these workshop.
The Public Awareness to Active Shooters is a class that is offered by campus Police. In this particular class, participants are taught what to do; and what not to do, should a situation unfold where firearms are being discharged.
“No one knows what they are going to do until they are in that situation” said Dawson “But at least this way, you are better prepared by knowing what to do.”
Although funding has become a thorn in the side of the availability of these and other workshops, and available staff to get it done, Chief Dawson and his officers are more than willing to do their best to make sure the needs of the community are met. Even with the shortages, Chief Dawson still has workshops available and if you have suggestions, you can enter them and they will work with you on meeting your needs.
“We’ll bend over backwards to get it done” said Dawson.
