A Snapshot of a Campus Police Officer
By Judith Aquino
As the economy continues to spiral downwards with many people facing bleak job prospects, Cory Gilmore, 25, considers himself fortunate to have recently secured a job as a campus police officer at Hunter College.
To become a campus police officer, Gilmore enrolled in an intensive two-month training program that included classroom instruction on state laws and local ordinances, constitutional law and civil rights, as well as instruction on the use of firearms, self-defense, first aid, and emergency response. After participating in the program full-time, Gilmore was certified to work as a police officer in New York State.
After completing his training, Gilmore accepted a job offer from Hunter College. Gilmore has been employed by Hunter College for 8 months where he works the afternoon and evening shift from 3 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. From his station at the main campus on East 68th Street and Lexington Avenue, Gilmore observes students and staff from various walks of life. Hunter College is the largest college in the CUNY system and serves a student body representative of the diversity of New York City. According to the school’s website, Hunter students come from more than 150 countries and speak approximately 100 languages.
It is precisely the diversity of the community Gilmore helps serve and protect that makes his job both interesting and challenging. “You’re meeting people from different backgrounds every day which is exciting,” said Gilmore. “Sometimes it’s hard because some [students] just can’t relate to what you’re telling them and might not want to cooperate with you.” It is rare that Gilmore has trouble communicating with students since he says that many seem comfortable speaking with him. “A lot of students notice me and say hello,” said Gilmore. “I’m still a young guy myself and many of them feel comfortable approaching me.”
Most days on the college campus are calm, but crimes occasionally occur. Crimes that are recorded in Hunter College’s daily crime log range from harassment to assault and grand larceny.
Growing up in Brooklyn, Gilmore never expected to find himself working as a campus police officer, however he knew he wanted a college education. Eventually Gilmore hopes to pursue a degree in Business Administration and Marketing. Being a campus police officer brings Gilmore closer to his goal since the job benefits include financial support to attend college courses. Other benefits include health insurance and a salary ranging from $28,000 to $40,000.
For someone considering a career as a campus police officer, Gilmore’s advice is to just go for it. “You have nothing to lose and everything to gain,” said Gilmore. #
