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Public Safety Academy graduates class of 2006 In June, 16 recently hired public safety officers from colleges and universities around Rhode Island completed an intensive 2-week training course conducted by the Rhode Island Public Safety Academy, based at Bryant University. Since its inception in 1995, the Academy has graduated 321 officers. Two of the graduates, Sean Sullivan and Jill Kramo, are from Bryant. Another Bryant officer, Kimberly Henderson, was awarded the Rhode Island College and University Public Safety Directors Distinguished Service Award. George Coronado, director of public safety at Bryant describes the academy as a "boot-camp" introduction to the field of public safety, which addresses issues such as ethics, crime prevention and patrol techniques, criminal and legal liabilities, and even explores information about weapons of mass destruction. In addition, participants take part in physical fitness and nutrition programs. In his 30 years in the business, Coronado has seen a shift in the perception of campus police departments. Instead of hiding the work of the office, schools are now emphasizing and embracing their efforts to keep the community safe. The shift is all part of a post 9/11 world, says Coronado, who has been director of the academy since its establishment. "I don't think anyone can effectively go to work and feel comfortable or go to school and study without first feeling safe." Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police, Col. Steven Parè '86, says these officers are charged with maintaining order on a college campus so the school can carry out its mission: educating the world's future leaders. "Without a sense of well-being within the college community, academic pursuits become secondary," he says.
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| © 2009 Bryant University | www@bryant.edu | ||||
| 1150 Douglas Pike, Smithfield, RI 02917 | 401-232-6000 | ||||
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