C. Ainlay, center; and Police Chief Michael Geraci, right.
Eleven members of the Campus Safety Department were sworn in Thursday afternoon as public safety officers, a new designation that gives them additional authority to provide a safe and secure environment for the campus community.
The officers recently completed 327 hours of additional training with instructors from the Zone 5 Police Academy and passed a criminal background check for the special designation, which was granted by Schenectady Police Chief Michael Geraci.
Under state education law, the enhanced authority allows the officers to make warrantless arrests, detain or transport suspects and seize potential evidence, which would eventually be turned over to local law enforcement authorities. Officers are also permitted to carry a police baton and pepper spray, though Union's officers will not have batons. Officers are not permitted to carry a firearm.
The 11 officers, who are among the most experienced on staff, are the first in the department to receive the special designation, which was created by the state Legislature in 1995. The goal is to eventually have the majority of the department's 34 officers appointed as public safety officers.
''It's a credit to Union for taking this step while others lag behind,” Geraci told the officers and more than 100 well-wishers during a ceremony at the Nott Memorial.
Geraci stressed the important of character to the graduates and pledged to offer the strong support the police department and the College have shared.
The new designation will reduce the College's reliance on the city police department for many routine manners, allowing the police to focus more attention on non-campus issues.
“Union and the city of Schenectady have a long history of working together,” said Mayor Brian Stratton. “We may disagree on some things, but in the end, we all pull together to make this College and the city the best that it can be.”
The College is working with the police department to establish protocols for implementing the additional authority, which the College sought to address the safety and security needs of the campus community.
“We have a very good partnership with the Schenectady Police Department, which will continue to be on the front-line response to any serious crime on campus,” said William Sickinger, Director of Campus Safety and one of the 11 granted the special officer status.
During the 30-minute ceremony, Sickinger thanked Interim President Emeritus James Underwood and his former assistant, Political Science Professor Terry Weiner for their support in pushing for the new designation, along with President Stephen C. Ainlay and the Board of Trustees.
Sickinger gave praise to his entire department for the sacrifices they made while their colleagues underwent the special training.
Ainlay also thanked the graduating officers for their accomplishments, saying it “reflects their professionalism and committment to the community, including Union and the city of Schenectady.''
The 11 graduates:
William H. Blanchard,Daniel M. Darling,Christopher M. Hayen, Richard M. McCrary, Keith G. McKenna, Patrick J. Morris, Gary S. Olsen, Michael J. Richards, William A. Sickinger, David M. Stern, Edward D. Teller.