Johnson’s views aren’t shared by everyone
During negotiations with the Board of Trustees over the changes in the Security Department, I was one of the most outspoken against Dr. Serrano’s recommendations. Over the two years that this took place, I spoke on numerous occasions with Dr. Serrano and the Board of Trustees. These meetings were always professional, courteous and respectful.
In the article of March 16, 2002, Officer Johnson called Dr. Serrano and Ms. Vaughan?inappropriate names. Officer Johnson did not reflect my views. The comments were?uncalled for and very unprofessional.?I believe that Officer Johnson was a coward for stating this after he retired.
It is time for the officers of the Security Department to get behind the administration and do?their best to protect the students and staff of Bakersfield College.
Richard Cox
BC Security Officer
Now is the time to put aside our differences
I am a senior officer with the college Security Department. I was also one of two officers who served on the Security Task Force to evaluate which direction the college should take regarding the new California law concerning community college police and security departments. I can assure you that President Serrano was more than well informed regarding all issues on the subject of turning us into a police department or a security department.
President Serrano, in my opinion, was placed in a difficult position to decide which option to endorse from the ones offered by the task force. This process continued at many Board of Trustees’ meetings over the past several years. Officer Richard Cox and I attended all of these meetings and on several occasions addressed the board members in support of a police department instead of a security department, as President Serrano was wanting. Even though we were in disagreement with the president on the issue, at no time did I ever feel intimidated by the president. On the contrary, President Serrano did and always has treated me in a professional and friendly manner anytime we met each other.
Now that the decision has been made to to transform our department into a strictly security department, the time has passed for criticism or discontent. Now is the time for those of us who will remain with the department to support the president’s decision and do everything we can to ensure a smooth transition. Our primary mission of providing a safe learning environment will not change.
Chris Counts
BC Senior Security Officer