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security officers, creating emergency
response measures, and keeping SCC’s
security up to snuff says being hired for the
third time puts him in a unique position.
“My advantage is I have been here before. I
still know the faculty, the rules and regulations
of the place. Shoreline hasn’t changed
much,” said Johnson.
The last time Johnson worked on campus
was, by his estimate, in 2001. Before
that was a stint in 1998. He has also worked
twice in the same capacity at North Seattle
Community College, and has served in the
Seattle Police Department (SPD) for 30
years.
Despite the lengthy resumé, Johnson was
not always so sure he would work in security.
As a student at Ballard High School, the
Seattle native pursued photography interests,
apprenticing with an area commercial
photographer. Finding the local photography
market tough, he switched gears
and joined the military. After his discharge,
he received a B.A. from the University of
Washington in French Literature and found
himself looking for work. Johnson taught
German, French,
and photography
at his old high
school, where he
soon got to know
the campus juvenile
officers.
“These guys encouraged
me to apply to the [Seattle PD],”
he says with a smile. “I have never looked
back.”
At SPD, Johnson moved up the ranks, making
stops along the way as a traffic cop, burglary
investigator, and patrol sergeant – only
to later work in the Internal Investigations
office. When asked if he favored any one position,
Johnson said, “As a young man, I definitely
enjoyed being a traffic cop.”
In 1994 Johnson retired from SPD as the
Chief of Detectives, where the stress of the
job had taken its toll. “I was called out at the
middle of the night for homicide investigations
and real serious crimes," Johnson said.
"I had to be a police officer 24/7.”
Turning a new leaf as the Interim Director
of Security at SCC, Johnson says he has serious
plans for the college. He is surveying
the direction
other
colleges
in the area
are taking
their security,
and
would like
to obtain a public announcement (PA) system
for the school. Currently, this would be
pending state legislation that would allocate
funds to SCC for emergency response
services.
He feels that a PA system would help
avoid confusion in an emergency situation.
“A stranger or visitor coming on to campus
is not going to know one burst from
two,” he said, “With events like Northern
Illinois University and Virginia Tech, we are
also looking at our emergency evacuation
plans.”
One issue Johnson would like to address
is the information students and staff need
to know to properly respond to an emergency
situation, like an evacuation. He would
like to post a one page sheet in each classroom
that outlines procedures for various
emergencies, something the University of
Washington already has. He is also looking
forward to the reinstatement of the school’s
Safety and Security Committee, a group featuring
student and staff representation. In
recent years, it has remained dormant.
Johnson says that the key to any effective
security presence on campus is a solid team
of officers capable of responding quickly to
emergencies. “The officers really know what
is going on on campus and can keep an eye
on visitors who come to the campus. They
really do know who belongs here and who
does not,” said Johnson.
Although his position is temporary by definition
and the permanent position is to be
filled before fall quarter, Johnson says he is
dedicated to his job. “I just want students
and staff to know that we are here to serve
them. We are here to help.”
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