David McGraw of 4C’s Campus security
by Avgi-Dawn Christakis
David McGraw is a police officer at Cape Cod Community College. His duties include providing serving security during campus events, carrying out arrests when necessary, responding to calls for police service, enforcing traffic rules, providing alerts to the administration and students of any threats in the area, and a lot more.
David McGraw
What field experience do you have to have for a school security officer position?
I had to graduate from the Police Academy, which I attended in Plymouth, Massachusetts, for six months. I applied to this college three times before getting the job here, so I was persistent.
How do you handle working under pressure?
That definitely comes with the job. There's a lot of pressure, and we have to be ready to make split second decisions. So, handling that stress can be difficult, but I just try and stay calm. I take a deep breath and think about my plan as I may be responding to a call that I don’t know exactly what I am walking into. I need to come into it ready, to make all the decisions quickly. The decisions start the second the phone call comes in, so you have got to stay calm and just keep your composure because you know everybody is relying on you.
Are there call boxes throughout the campus?
One call box is located underneath the administration building. There's a little pathway that goes from the Arts Center and leads underneath to the administration building and to the library. On the left-hand side, there is the old security office and there's a call box right there. That's the only one on campus.
How does the school communicate with students in an emergency?
The way to reach the college police station is to pick up any phone on campus and dial 4349. If you are going to call from your cell phone, the number is 774-330-4349, and this will directly connect you with the campus police. Even if someone doesn't remember that phone number, and they don't have it programmed into their phone, they can call 911 and we will still receive the call and respond.
What crime prevention features are in place?
We have our active-duty controls that we do throughout the buildings. We have officers on foot patrol inside the buildings and we also have the police cruiser. The cruiser operates around the outer perimeter and throughout the parking lots of the campus, ensuring that the grounds are safe.
Does the college rely on its own security team, or does it have help from city or county police stations off campus?
The Cape Cod Community College has their own Police Department as well having armed police officers on duty 24/7. We also have security guards who are on our campus. They help during different hours. Then we also have a great relationship with the Barnstable Civil Police Department, who patrols the town in which the school is in, as well as with the Massachusetts State Police, who are also frequently coming through here and doing checks.
How does the school handle drug use and abuse?
On Campus we have a zero-tolerance policy for drug use and abuse. We are a state property, drugs are prohibited, and obviously drugs are really prohibited anywhere, but we have a very strict policy when it comes to let's say marijuana. It may be legal at home in Massachusetts for personal use, but here, since we are a state agency, it is illegal.
Lastly, do you have any tips for the students?
I would say your success and safety here is our number one priority. As college police officers, we want you to succeed with your schoolwork and know that you're safe here. We're here no matter what, we're not here just for the bad things, we could be here if you're just having a bad day and you want to talk. We're always here, an open ear to come talk to. We do a variety of things besides just policing, we give escorts, we can help change tires and a lot more functions than just the police functions. So, you should consider the college police as always here if you need a friend or help.
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