In 2021, following an independent review of Central Oregon Community College’s (COCC’s) Campus Public Safety department operations, the college hired Ferraris Investigations & Consulting, LLC to provide actionable guidance on the review’s findings.
COCC’s President, Dr. Laurie Chesley, directed the consulting firm’s owner and principal, James Ferraris, to provide COCC with a framework allowing for the transition of the college’s existing Campus Public Safety Department from a “law enforcement” orientation to a “safety and security” orientation, and to help create an environment fostering a climate of teamwork and collaboration within the department as well as alongside college and public safety stakeholders. Ferraris is an experienced government executive with a career in Oregon law enforcement spanning more than 40 years and an extensive background in workplace investigations and employee relations.
This week, Ferraris completed his recommendations to COCC. His report is available in full to the public. These recommendations are intended to move the COCC Campus Safety department forward, in line with the vision of maintaining a safe and secure campus enjoyed by students, faculty, staff and visitors.
“During my review of dozens of documents, visits to COCC campuses and conversations with twenty-four stakeholders, several topic areas were identified, reviewed and discussed,” said Ferraris. “Concluding that work, several recommendations have been made for COCC to consider in the continuing transformation of the Campus Safety Department to help align the department with laws and industry best-practice. Throughout this review, I found a wonderful collection of people who are invested in the college, its future and its success.”
The report makes recommendations to the college in several areas including vehicles, equipment, recruitment and hiring of Campus Safety staff, relationships to and with local law enforcement, scope of work, training and more. Ferraris’ recommendations also prioritize and ensure COCC’s continued compliance with “Kaylee’s Law,” Oregon Senate Bill 576, which originated in the aftermath of the 2016 murder of COCC student Kaylee Sawyer, committed by then-COCC Security Officer Edwin Lara.
“We are grateful for the rigor, thoughtfulness and decades of experience that Ferraris brought to his work with our Campus Safety department,” noted Dr. Chesley. “With his report as our roadmap, COCC can continue to develop a Campus Safety culture that is service-oriented and rooted in education, outreach, safety and emergency preparedness. The college will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure collaborative yet subordinate relationships that are well-delineated.”
