Student who is also a police officer escorted from class for carrying gun
A police officer at Darton State College who attended an on-campus lecture on Wednesday in full uniform and carrying a police-issued handgun was “escorted” out of the classroom without explanation.
According to WALB-TV, the professor was uncomfortable teaching with a gun in the room and called for the officer to be escorted out of the lecture. The unidentified officer was allegedly escorted out of the room.
Dr. Thomas Ormond, interim provost and vice president for academic and student affairs, issued a statement to students and faculty, apologizing for the misunderstanding.
“Darton State College is appreciative for the service of our law enforcement, and welcome them as students on our campus. We have apologized to the officer for our misunderstanding when he attended class on our campus, and we regret this happened. We have met with the faculty and staff involved to reiterate the Georgia Law and Darton Policy,” Ormond wrote.
The school’s policy allows law enforcement officers to carry firearms on campus but prohibits any student from carrying a gun.
“Students are prohibited from possession of firearms in or on college property except by law enforcement officers, judges and district attorneys. The possession or use of any other offensive weapons is prohibited,” campus policy states. The policy, however, does not directly address the responsibilities of law enforcement officers who double as students on campus.
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This story has been amended since its initial posting. It previously identified the officer as a member of the college's police department. The officer appears to not have been affiliated with the campus police. Campus Reform regrets the error.
