West Hills College Lemoore to get full-time police officer in agreement with city

The good news for the city is that the college will pay the salary and benefits of the police officer, as well as provide an office and support staff.

The West Hills Community College District board of trustees is expected to approve the contract at its meeting on Feb. 10. The officer, once hired, could be on the Lemoore campus by May 1.

The cost over three years is $280,000 and school officials have been contemplating hiring a police officer for some time.

“It’s a great deal for us and we’re very pleased with the Lemoore City Council’s decision to go ahead and grant approval of housing a Lemoore police officer on the Lemoore campus,” said WHCL President Don Warkentin. “What’s happening is we’re experience growing pains and as you would think there have been some issues with some crime activity, and we think that having a uniformed officer on campus would be a deterrence.”

Warkentin said the police officer would investigate crimes that happen at the college and supplement the existing security guards the college now employs. The campus police officer would be assigned to the campus during the times and dates when classes are in session.

One caveat is that the city must fork out about $46,000 for a new patrol unit for the college police officer. The police officer would also join the city patrol when the college is not in session.

Councilman Ray Madrigal, a former CHP commander, thinks the agreement benefits both parties. “I think West Hills College is an integral part of Lemoore’s future,” he said. “This partnership demonstrates a commitment to our mutual success.”

West Hills College Lemoore currently serves over 4,000 full and part time students and is one of the fastest growing colleges in California.