Updated: October 7 at 11:53 P.M.
Special agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation met with Biola University’s Campus Safety and several southern California police organizations on Oct. 5, 2015 to discuss safety procedures in a university setting.
Collaboration
Over 70 individuals attended, representing various universities and law enforcement groups. Professionals working with mental health departments, university faculty and technology asked questions and contributed ideas regarding safety methods used on campuses across the region.
At the meeting, Chief John Ojeisekhoba of Biola’s Campus Safety shared information relating to the way his department keeps Biola safe. Included in his portion of the presentation, he stated that two dispatchers are available over the phone at any given time. Tests will be given at random on a regular basis to keep their skills sharp and prepared for any type of emergency.
Preventative Measures
Ojeisekhoba focused on how programs do not just suspend or expel students who were cited for actions requiring disciplinary measures but would instead send students to Spiritual Development to correct behavior. While no suicides have occurred on Biola’s campus, Ojeisekhoba said departments such as the Biola Counseling Center and Student Development have been taking preventative measures to avoid those tragic events.
Continuous Efforts
Ojeisekhoba also showed the conference photos from Closed Circuit TV cameras of last week’s campus-wide active shooter lockdown drill, describing how nearly all students were inside buildings in under four and a half minutes.
Though the campus performed well during the active shooter drill, Ojeisekhoba stressed continued efforts to train and keep his team diligent and prepared for emergency situations for Biola and plans to help other campuses out as well.
“I thought afterwards many chiefs from other schools, other professionals that were interested in [modeling] from the campus we have here. I will be helping them out,” Ojeisekhoba said.
Future meeting dates, names of attendees and concerns brought up during the discussion were kept confidential in an effort to maximize effectiveness of the advice given and safety of the participants and universities involved.
