The resolution for allowing full-time Public Safety at the college to carry Tasers was passed this month and full-timers started to carry them on campus prior to the first day of classes.

The resolution was passed at this month’s Madison College District Board meeting on Jan. 8.

Little has changed since the passage of the resolution. Officers say it has been a busy week for everyone, but the presence of the non-lethal devices hasn’t seemed to have much of an impact. Very few incidents requiring physical intervention occur here at Madison College, but McFarlane hasn’t received any complaints either.

“Nobody wants a distraction from the learning environment,” said Lt. James McFarlane of Madison College Public Safety.

There has been a lot of debate over the resolution and subsequent arming of our Public Safety officers, but McFarlane sees it as a boon.

“It shows that the administration cares about us and values us,” McFarlane said.

McFarlane added one of the primary purposes of arming his men and women with Tasers is for their own protection and safety.

He also said giving them a non-lethal option other than their own clenched fists makes them a lot safer, especially at night when at times only one officer is on duty. He added it makes a difference in that officer’s peace of mind.

Some concern has been raised about the idea that arming them with Tasers is simply a way to open the discussion about arming them with firearms. McFarlane said he doesn’t necessarily see it as a first step. However, he said that could still be in the future, but right now Tasers for these officers are right for the college.

“Tasers don’t kill people. They are a good, viable, non-lethal option,” he said. “I hope the discussion (concerning firearms) continues,” he said.

It may be unsurprising that McFarlane supports the resolution, considering the lieutenant had a hand it writing it and getting it passed.

“Before we were armed, sometimes people would come up to us and ask us why we weren’t. A lot of the students simply expect the security to be armed,” he said.

Only the full-time, police-trained officers are armed with the new Tasers. Student officers will not be armed, and strict regulations govern the use of the weapons and non-lethal devices.

McFarlane himself is a police Taser trainer, and has trained many of our Public Safety officers in their use.

“Most of our incidents on campus are not from the student body, but from visitors and guests,” he said. “I have had a lot of good, positive interactions with the student body here.”