News

HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROVIDES TRAINING TO HELP KEEP COLLEGE SAFE

Contact: RoBurchette@gtcc.edu (Released 9/19/11)

JAMESTOWN - With more than 15,000 students spread across four campuses, GTCC Campus Police Chief Jerry Clark said his department has a big task in protecting the college's students and staff.

"That's why I want to get all of the training I can for our officers," Clark said. Whether it is about bomb threats, shootings or terrorism threats, Clark has been alert to the potential catastrophes even on a community college campus, he said.
His department was faced with bomb threats last month, and quick work by officers resulted in an arrest. No bomb was found.
Clark said training of four GTCC officers through a grant from Homeland Security contributed to the solving of the case. "Our officers knew what steps to take and how to begin the investigation," Clark said.

"Of course, several other law enforcement agencies were of great help. We didn't do it alone," Clark said.

He also pointed out that the recent bomb threats weren't made by a terrorist but allegedly came from a student. "Yet, all of the extra training and procedures you have in place are valuable in apprehending suspects or preventing disasters," Clark said.  
"We had our telephone operators trained about how to handle calls of a threatening nature," said Sgt. Aaron Smith, one of the officers trained in how to deal with bombs in two courses at the Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center at New Mexico Technical Institute in Socorro, NM.

A class for first responders taught how to handle incidents involving explosives and the schools, shopping malls and work places that most likely would be potential targets.

A class held Dec. 13-17 dealt with the prevention and response to suicide bombing incidents.    
"These classes were rewarding in that we handled actual explosives and learned from nationally recognized experts," Smith said. Also involved in the training was Sgt. J.T. Williams, who has worked on the GTCC Greensboro campus after spending 30 years with the Greensboro Police Dept.

"As a first responder, these courses have prepared me to: prepare for, respond to, attempt to prevent and recognize a possible attack by use of improvised explosive devices, weapons of mass destruction, dirty bombs, chemical and biological radiological and nuclear explosives," Williams said.

"With terrorism threats on the increase other bizarre happenings that impact public safety, the GTCC Campus Police searched for training that would address these issues," Clark said. "Guilford County Emergency Management Services advised us about the free grants through Homeland Security. There was no cost other than to allow the officers to attend the training," Clark said.
Officer Natasha Powell, who has been a GTCC officer for 12 years, said her training in the classes "kicked in instantly" when she heard about the recent bomb threats on the GTCC campuses. "I knew the first steps that needed to be taken and those steps and decisions would be crucial to the outcome of the event. I knew to stay calm. Students would be watching us and would judge their concern by our actions," Powell said.

Williams, Powell and Corporal Beth Clodfelter also have had Navy NCIS Training. Clodfelter said the training in New Mexico "gave me more knowledge in identifying suspicious people, activities and items."

All of the officers had to pass written tests with at least a grade of 80, Clark said. "They all passed with flying colors just like they did the other day when they and other officers solved the bomb threat case," Clark said.
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