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Emerson College PD: College Hired Nine Retired BPD Officers

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Posted by: fscpd907

A year after VTech, security improvement results mixed

Students mixed on new safety measures

By: Sam Clarke

Posted: 4/17/08

One-year after the slaying of 32 Virginia Tech University students by a classmate there, Emerson has experienced mixed results in bolstering security on campus.

The Department of Public Safety hired nine new officers and invested in a host of equipment and technologies but the department has still failed to implement a new visitor sign-in system.

Director of Public Safety George Noonan told The Beacon in January that the system would be up and running the following month, but in a recent interview Noonan said technical difficulties have kept it off-line.

Despite those struggles, the participation rate in Connect-Ed is unusally high. The system allows police to automatically alert the community of an emergency via phone call, text message and e-mail.

Approximately 70 percent of the Emerson Community has signed up for Connect-Ed, Noonan said-more than twice the 28 percent average for the 300-plus schools employing the same system across the country.

"We're pleased with the 70 percent," said David Rosen, vice president of public affairs. "We'll be making another push in the fall."

Noonan, who was promoted to his current post just two weeks before the tragedy in Blacksburg, Va., said Emerson officials were considering investing in an emergency communication system before news of the shooting dominated the national conversation.

The incident was just the stimulus the college needed, Noonan said.

"We moved it really quick after Virginia Tech," he said. "We would have been at fault if we didn't."

Rosen said that he is urging the registrar to make participation in Connect-Ed a required part of the college's registration process. According to Noonan, only a handful of schools in the country have made enrollment mandatory.

Talia Sawyer, a freshman, agreed with Rosen and said the benefits of the system far outweigh any privacy concerns. "It's not like they're sending you junk mail," the TV Production major said.

Noonan said he successfully tested the system last December. He estimated, however, that nearly 50 former students called or e-mailed him after they errantly received his message. If a person graduates or transfers, he said, they can call the Public Safety office and easily have their contact information removed.

But the college has struggled to repeat Connect-Ed's success with their latest investment, the EasyLobby Visitor Management System.

Noonan said "technological issues" have delayed the system's implementation. Installation was completed in the Little Building and Piano Row dormitories and the Public Safety office in February.

In January, The Beacon reported that the EasyLobby system will determine if a resident has a restraining order against a guest, if the guest is a registered sex offender or if the person is barred entrance due to previous behavior. If so, the word "banned" will appear on the information screen.

School officials would not release the cost of the system.

Broadcast journalism major Katie Eastman, who sits desk at Piano Row, said she looks forward to EasyLobby replacing a system which she said is often inefficient and unreliable.

"There are always so many mistakes in the written book," the freshman said. "And no one ever checks the 'banned' list."

Overall, Eastman said with all the improvements made by Public Safety over the last year, she feels very safe living on campus.

Another item on Noonan's campus security "Christmas list" was a more experienced police force. Noonan said in years past the ECPD was a stepping stone for officers who would move on to a city or state police force.

Since last April, the college has hired nine retired Boston Police officers, each with between 26 and 40 years of experience. The force now includes 21 officers and three full-time dispatchers.

Freshman Jay Lewis said he's glad to have seasoned officers instead of what Noonan said was predominantly a group of rookies.

"I think they have a better idea of how to handle what's thrown at them," the film major said.

But no matter the preventative measures, Noonan said faculty, staff and students need to take responsibility to prevent campus violence.

"Nobody at anytime can give you a 100 percent guarantee that this isn't going to happen at your school," he said.


Posted by: rg1283

Thats nice, good for them. However, I would NOT want to be doing any law enforcement job in that area with out a gun.


Posted by: HELPMe

I hope Emerson doesnt turn into the BPD retirement home. Retired guys want to do one of two things, 1. nothing and collect a check 2. smoke butts and bitch. Atleast that has been my experience. Good luck to Emerson and all those "rookies" that have less than 40 years on a municipal deparment.


Posted by: JMB1977

Nine new officers what what 1 Cruiser? Can we say foot patrol.


Posted by: sgtsmithers

Nine new officers what what 1 Cruiser? Can we say foot patrol

The guy with the 40+ years experience uses a walker. Tennis balls on the front pegs so he can sneak up on the kiddies.


Posted by: Kilvinsky

Quote:
Originally Posted by fscpd907 View Post
A year after VTech, security improvement results mixed

Students mixed on new safety measures

By: Sam Clarke

Posted: 4/17/08


Noonan, who was promoted to his current post just two weeks before the tragedy in Blacksburg, Va.,

Since last April, the college has hired nine retired Boston Police officers, each with between 26 and 40 years of experience. The force now includes 21 officers and three full-time dispatchers.
What took him so long? He also fails to address the fact that sure, there are plenty of guys who take college jobs and use them as stepping stones, but why not, the college often treats the guys* like crap, sometimes won't arm them and then is shocked when they leave.

As for just wanting people with experience, well, he MAY have that reasoning in the back of his mind, but I think a reasonable person with a little knowledge of how things really work will see it for what I see it, taking care of his buddies and letting them add to their pensions.

Oh, and I'm sure a guy with 26-40 years experience as a city cop will suddenly be ok with working unarmed and still get out there and do the job. SURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRE!


Posted by: Delta784

Quote:
Originally Posted by rg1283 View Post
Thats nice, good for them. However, I would NOT want to be doing any law enforcement job in that area with out a gun.
Who says they're not going to have guns?


Posted by: ecpd402

Emerson will never be armed under Noonan. As for hiring retired BPD. You are getting a officer over 65 with a current pension. They are not going to be doing any police work. because they really don't care because they are retired. As for the group of rookies comment their SGT and both LT's started with the department and I find them to be excellant officers. Where is Cheif McCabe when you need him


Posted by: Delta784

Quote:
Originally Posted by ecpd402 View Post
Emerson will never be armed under Noonan. As for hiring retired BPD. You are getting a officer over 65 with a current pension. They are not going to be doing any police work. because they really don't care because they are retired.
If you keep your mouth shut and your ears open, you'll learn more from the retired "do-nothings" than you will at any police academy.


Posted by: stadinko

Tough call. If they can get that kind of experience to pass on their knowledge it would be a great boon for the younger Officers. But if they just hired a "been there, let someone else do it" jaded crew it could really negate any positives. Guess time will tell. Would be interested in a first hand follow up perspective.


Posted by: masscopguy

If they are trying to cut down on turnover is his hiring mostly retired municipal or state cops the answer? How long is someone who retired after 25 or 30 years of service going to continue work?

As an active Emerson College alumnus who spends quite a bit of time on campus, I would like to see a mix of both young trained officers and former city or state cops.


Posted by: dgold127

Quote:
Originally Posted by Delta784 View Post
If you keep your mouth shut and your ears open, you'll learn more from the retired "do-nothings" than you will at any police academy.
As usual Delta, right on the money!


Posted by: j809

I bet they love that white Ford Escape with purple stripes. Saw it at MHQ, WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Posted by: union1

Georges hiring of Retirees is nothing new. Since he was made deputy chief he has been doing it.


Posted by: ecpd402

Quote:
Originally Posted by Delta784 View Post
If you keep your mouth shut and your ears open, you'll learn more from the retired "do-nothings" than you will at any police academy.
True is most cases. These guys treat that job like its security. They don't mentor anyone


Posted by: Delta784

Quote:
Originally Posted by ecpd402 View Post
True is most cases. These guys treat that job like its security. They don't mentor anyone
Ask.

I have yet to meet a retired cop who doesn't enjoy passing on his experience, as long as he has a receptive audience that is truly interested. It might take awhile to forge a relationship with a crusty retired cop, but it will be worth it.

When I got out of the military, I worked security at a place where the director & his assistant were retired Boston Detectives. Both of them have since passed away, but to this day I still use a lot of the things they taught me.....AFTER I convinced them I really wanted to learn.


Posted by: Robert35

Quote:
Originally Posted by Delta784 View Post
Ask.

I have yet to meet a retired cop who doesn't enjoy passing on his experience, as long as he has a receptive audience that is truly interested. It might take awhile to forge a relationship with a crusty retired cop, but it will be worth it.

When I got out of the military, I worked security at a place where the director & his assistant were retired Boston Detectives. Both of them have since passed away, but to this day I still use a lot of the things they taught me.....AFTER I convinced them I really wanted to learn.
That would not be Suffolk Downs?


Posted by: Delta784

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert35 View Post
That would not be Suffolk Downs?
No, the old Susse Chalet/Boston Bowl in Dorchester, I think the hotels are a Ramada and a Comfort Inn now. The two retired detectives are legendary in Boston PD; Frank DiNatale and Arnold White.


Posted by: 94c

Quote:
Originally Posted by ecpd402 View Post
Emerson will never be armed under Noonan. As for hiring retired BPD. You are getting a officer over 65 with a current pension. They are not going to be doing any police work. because they really don't care because they are retired. As for the group of rookies comment their SGT and both LT's started with the department and I find them to be excellant officers. Where is Cheif McCabe when you need him

Do they make a lot of arrests?


Posted by: Kilvinsky

Quote:
Originally Posted by ecpd402 View Post
Emerson will never be armed under Noonan. Where is Cheif McCabe when you need him
Ah, Chief McCabe, now there's a guy who fought very hard for firearms and sheriff's powers.

Oh wait, no that was Tim Sheehan and look what happened to him.

Then again, he did himself in. Too bad Mike Webster left for Maryland, HE would have been a fantastic chief, and that is not sarcasm.


Posted by: union1

I agree with ECPD, generally retirees wont be doing police work and will most likely be looking for somplace quiet to sleep, hide or watch movies. Honestly, I dont know if I even blame them.

I also agree that these retirees have some good things to say. You younger guys would be smart to take a listen.

Bottom line is retirees are not useless, they would be great as teachers in an academy, college, extra training class, ect. Being a father however and someday will be facing sending my child to a college I will be looking at the security that colleges provide. If I see that the security department is made up of mostly retirees and the school is trying to pass this off as "the best they can do" ill pack the car up and say see ya later!

Finally you cant really blame George for doing this. He is a political person and has alot of friends. Im sure he gets asked by guys all the time if he can get them a job. Its the nature of the beast, if you were in charge of an unregulated college dept and a friend asked for a job I would hope that you would atleast consider it.


Posted by: Kilvinsky

Quote:
Originally Posted by union1 View Post
I agree with ECPD, generally retirees wont be doing police work and will most likely be looking for somplace quiet to sleep, hide or watch movies. Honestly, I dont know if I even blame them. I can't say I blame them either. (I'm not the agressive guy I used to be either.) They've earned the right to kick back if they so choose, but I have difficulty in totally accepting a department of retirees for two main reasons. 1) Your department isn't taken seriously and is looked at as a nice place to retire to only so you can put your days of REAL police work behind you. 2) It reduces the opportunities for younger guys looking for a start somewhere and possibly a career.

I know that many colleges are not fully taken seriously anyway, as you so aptly put it, it's the nature of the beast, but does a municipality hire retirees? When they do, I'll gladly change my tune.

I also agree that these retirees have some good things to say. You younger guys would be smart to take a listen. No lie. It's more often true than not that a guy with experience under his belt knows a hell of a lot more than a guy walking out of the academy who THINKS he knows it all. A retired guy hired primarily for training or dispatching and even at times for patrol is a real asset. But a guy who is retired is often set in his ways and those ways may not fit in with a college setting and may not even be the right way to do anything at all. Just because a guy made it to retirement doesn't guarantee he wasn't like those kids who graduated High School but still couldn't read.

Bottom line is retirees are not useless, they would be great as teachers in an academy, college, extra training class, ect. Being a father however and someday will be facing sending my child to a college I will be looking at the security that colleges provide. Agreed on that, 100% on two counts. One, if you mean you'll see what is provided at a school you send your kids to, yes, make sure they're squared away. If you mean that some of these retirees have kids who still have to attend school, this is a potential freebie PLUS a paycheck to add to the pention and that college is providing security. This is pretty good financial planning. I also feel if a guy retires because he can get his pention but still wants to to do the job because he's not actually really ready to retire, more power to him. If I see that the security department is made up of mostly retirees and the school is trying to pass this off as "the best they can do" ill pack the car up and say see ya later!

Finally you cant really blame George for doing this. He is a political person and has alot of friends. Im sure he gets asked by guys all the time if he can get them a job. Its the nature of the beast, if you were in charge of an unregulated college dept and a friend asked for a job I would hope that you would atleast consider it. You do have a good point here to.
To get back briefly to your department not being taken as seriously, think about it, how many guys who retire from one job and take another will say, "I'm a so&so cop, BUT I retired from such&such" as if to say, "Well, I'm actually more qualified than this job, I'm just adding to my pension." Just how much pride does a retiree, ON AVERAGE, take in his retirement job as opposed to a person that might be making this as a career? Sure, even those who start at a college may say similar things, "I'm only here until I can get a real job." etc. Nature of the beast.


Posted by: union1

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kilvinsky View Post
To get back briefly to your department not being taken as seriously, think about it, how many guys who retire from one job and take another will say, "I'm a so&so cop, BUT I retired from such&such" as if to say, "Well, I'm actually more qualified than this job, I'm just adding to my pension." Just how much pride does a retiree, ON AVERAGE, take in his retirement job as opposed to a person that might be making this as a career? Sure, even those who start at a college may say similar things, "I'm only here until I can get a real job." etc. Nature of the beast.
<<Will always be home but no longer "My Dept"


Posted by: ecpd402

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kilvinsky View Post
Ah, Chief McCabe, now there's a guy who fought very hard for firearms and sheriff's powers.

Oh wait, no that was Tim Sheehan and look what happened to him.

Then again, he did himself in. Too bad Mike Webster left for Maryland, HE would have been a fantastic chief, and that is not sarcasm.
Chief McCabe gave a guy interested in law enforcement a chance. He sent guys to the SSPO and one to the MBTA academy. He also backed up his officers 100%. McCabe was a fantastic chief


Posted by: Delta784

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kilvinsky View Post
2) It reduces the opportunities for younger guys looking for a start somewhere and possibly a career.
If I qualified for max pension, I'd retire tomorrow if I could get on a university PD which has tuition waivers for family. That would open up a spot on my PD, which would no doubt make someone on the list very happy.

Water finds its own level.


Posted by: robodope

I agree but working for a college especially the bigger ones is more demanding then people think. Most colleges are not where you want to be when you are at the end of your career..Trust me on that...I 'm sure these guys they hired are great but will not be looking for guns or cruisers...More like pillows and blankets...


Posted by: new guy

I think it all depends on the individual. Someone who takes pride in the job for an entire career will continue to do so in semi retirement. I also agree with Robodope that some colleges aren't well suited for retirement gigs but let's be honest, their are still some schools that offer a nice wage and great bennies with minimal heavy lifting.


Posted by: SinePari

Quote:
Originally Posted by union1 View Post
I agree with ECPD, generally retirees wont be doing police work and will most likely be looking for somplace quiet to sleep, hide or watch movies.
There are active duty officers like that on every department now, not just retirees.


Posted by: mpd61

Quote:
Originally Posted by Delta784 View Post
No, the old Susse Chalet/Boston Bowl in Dorchester, I think the hotels are a Ramada and a Comfort Inn now. The two retired detectives are legendary in Boston PD; Frank DiNatale and Arnold White.
Ha Ha Ha! DELTA!!!!!!!!!!!

Arnie was the Best! Frank hated my guts. Phil Jr. used to laugh and tell me to stay away from him. Pushing coins in the a.m. was awesome wasn't it? Remember "signals" from the restaurant? How about "details" at the candy house, where the nice old ladies would feed you turtles the whole time?
Ahh......Urban law enforcment at it's best!



Posted by: Delta784

Quote:
Originally Posted by mpd61 View Post
Ha Ha Ha! DELTA!!!!!!!!!!!
Arnie was the Best! Frank hated my guts. Phil Jr. used to laugh and tell me to stay away from him. Pushing coins in the a.m. was awesome wasn't it? Remember "signals" from the restaurant? How about "details" at the candy house, where the nice old ladies would feed you turtles the whole time?
Ahh......Urban law enforcment at it's best!
As far as security jobs go, it's probably one of the best out there (or at least it was).

I was at training on River Street a couple of years ago and stopped by there during lunch. I couldn't believe how much everything has changed.


Posted by: CRASHPD

[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Well, Well, what can I add to what has already been written other then it's been a while since my last post, reply what ever! I agree with everybody who as written their opinions to one degree or another. I agree that there is a lot you can learn from a retiree if you’re not too proud to listen. I agree that younger persons should be given the opportunity to break into this field, like I was given the opportunity to do so. I've made a career out of it, in which I can honestly say I love. I've worked very hard to get a promotion, but I would be naive to think I did it all through that hard work; I definitely had some help along the way. I continue to learn everyday and if it's because I'm listening and learning from a retiree or reading and doing all of those fun online classes so be it, in the long run I'll be that much better for it. I also agree that a retiree who doesn’t give a worth of you know what can be a burden onto others and its the responsibility of their bosses to address certain issues so that the select few who do care about the college and in this case Emerson College aren’t the only one's always keeping the flame lit, so to speak. So with this said, "My 2 cents has been written". Like always may you all continue to stay safe, be good and keep making that Money!!!![/font]




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