By Scott Gallant | Observer Contributor
The campus police chief, Sergeant Jeff Lefrenier, lectured to the Journalism 101 class recently about the college’s law enforcement practices, its beginnings, what criminal elements may typically occur on school grounds, and what measures have been taken to maintain relative peace and order throughout the campus.
Sgt. Lefrenier began his speech by providing the roomful of students his credentials and the training required for campus police licensing, which involves an extensive 16-week academy physical fitness training course with license allotment under the scrutiny and supervision of the Massachusetts State Police Department.
Sgt. Lefrenier informed the class that the campus police are compiled of a staff of 9 personnel on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. He said that the MWCC campus police have been able to maintain the best community college campus police force in the state, for reasons of both their efficiency as well as diversity, with members from various ethnic backgrounds.
Sgt. Lefrenier stressed the importance of professionalism to perform the required duties as the school’s security officer by remaining “pro-active” instead of “reactive.”
“As a police officer, I am obligated to enforce the laws as they are currently enacted, but I am willing to comply so long as I receive full cooperation with the perpetrator,” said Sgt. Lefrenier.
Sgt. Lefrenier continued to explain that he tries to include the ability to remain compassionate to all parties involved in whatever situations need to be addressed, and to take into consideration those with no criminal record.
Sgt. Lefrenier said that in most cases, students could easily settle their differences through an in-house student judicial board. However, if matters remain largely unsettled or the offending student fails to cooperate, then such cases will quickly become a court decision.
According to Sgt. Lefrenier, the crimes typically occurring on campus range from the more nominal, such as motor vehicle parking and traffic violations, to the more potentially serious, such as escorting restraining order recipients and monitoring registered sex offender students.
“The most commonly occurring crime would be larceny,” said Sgt. Lefrenier. “This could easily be avoided if students would simply lock-up valuables out of their immediate supervision. To prevent the opportunity to steal would greatly reduce the number of reported incidents.” Towards the end of his speech, one student expressed concern for his apparent enthusiasm with his position and the power he wields. Admittedly, Sgt. Lefrenier acknowledged the possibility for corruption and injustice to occur from those within the field without the proper discipline and ethics. Out of consolation, he concluded that the power he possesses can be rewarding, but only when applied to helping others in need. Power is always accompanied with responsibility, and to prevent abuse from within is as crucial as to prevent crime elsewhere; failure to do so will only demean the very duty he had dedicated his life to perform.
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