Tusculum is moving to armed security and has nearly completed the process of certifying all Campus Safety employees to carry guns and TASERs while on duty.
The safety of the students, personnel and guests on the campus of Tusculum is a priority for Dr. James Hurley, president of Tusculum, and he has pushed for the upgrades in the Campus Safety Office and worked with the Board of Trustees to obtain the necessary approvals to move forward with these changes.
“This is all an effort to protect and defend our students and others on our campus,” said Dr. Hurley. “Tusculum will have a professional security force, and we believe these changes will not only make people feel safer, but actually provide increased protection.”
Dr. Hurley added that extensive research was done reviewing what other similar institutions were doing and many of the changes were put into place as the initiative progressed.
According to David V. Martin, director of facilities management and campus safety at Tusculum, the process of training the campus safety officers is nearly complete thanks to the assistance of local law enforcement agencies. The officers that will carry guns and TASERs have completed the necessary training and received the State of Tennessee Armed Guard certification.
“The Tusculum Police Department, the City of Greeneville Police Department and the Greene County Sheriff’s Department have been tremendously helpful in the process and have not only provided training to our officers, but have been incredibly supportive in every way.”
Martin added that the officials from the Lincoln Memorial University Campus Police and Security Office also provided a great deal of guidance as the new protocols were put into place.
“Our campus safety officers are not law enforcement,” said Martin, “However, these steps have been implemented by Dr. Hurley and the Tusculum Board in order to increase their ability to protect life and property on the campus.”