KCC Board of Education Approves Partnership Contract with Sheriff's Office
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File Photo, Klamath Community College.
KLAMATH FALLS – Klamath Community College’s board of education voted Monday to approve a contract that establishes a foundation for KCC to work with the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office to open a sheriff substation at the KCC campus.
The college’s seven-member board voted unanimously to approve the contract.
“The goals of this groundbreaking initiative are to assist KCC in providing a safe learning environment and to enhance student and staff relationships with law enforcement officers,” said KCC President Dr. Roberto Gutierrez. “Having a sworn officer on campus will be a valuable resource for keeping our campus safe and for fostering relationships that will benefit the entire community.”
According to the contract, the campus substation and the sheriff patrol sergeant who manages it will be established as part of a Law Enforcement Liaison Program at KCC. The sergeant will be involved in security planning and reserve officer program training.
“The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office is looking forward to furthering our relationship with KCC, not only for the safety of the campus, but also in the area of workforce development related to public safety,” said Klamath County Sheriff Chris Kaber. “It is exciting to be working so closely with KCC in their efforts to maintain a safe campus, where students can concentrate on learning, bettering themselves, and our community as well.”
According to Kaber, the patrol sergeant application process will open the day the Klamath County commissioners approve the sheriff’s office request to sign the contract and to hire another full-time-equivalent employee. The commissioners may address the issue during their Jan. 8 meeting, he said.
“I anticipate the job posting to be open for two weeks, and with luck, a person selected and in place by the end of March,” Kaber said.
In addition to managing the KCC substation, the patrol sergeant may also supervise school resource officers employed by the sheriff’s office, which contracts with the Klamath County School District.
