September 15
New community engagement service model implemented
This fall, police reform initiatives, prompted by state and federal activity, will
be implemented at North Shore Community College. Campus Police Chief David Cook has restructured the college’s Police Department to create a Security Division which
will implement a new Community Engagement Service Model.
“Our objective is to strengthen the department’s partnerships among students, faculty and staff by furthering our mission of transparency, trust, community service and academic success,” Chief Cook explained. We believe that it is necessary for the college community, both students and staff, to feel comfortable with the campus police who are here to protect and assist them. To break down barriers, the community engagement model will remove officers from fixed posts and instead have them regularly circulate so that they can better get to know folks on campus and be seen as approachable,” Cook said.
He continued, “We want to improve communication, understanding and utilization of police services and policies through collaboration with other departments and the development of trust and relationships. We’d like our officers to be known by their names and for being resources to help.”
The new model will be led by newly hired Community Resource Officer Lt. Kevin Marshall, pictured, who will be based on the Lynn campus. Marshall will be responsible for assisting the chief with the overall safety and protection of students, employees and visitors of the college. This includes all police functions related to campus security such as crime prevention and investigation, security services and daily departmental operations at the Lynn campus, in addition to the creation and maintenance of community engagement programs.
Lt. Marshall is a 20-year veteran of the Nantucket Police Department where he developed and oversaw a community service unit which focused on suicide prevention and mental health. He received a Commonwealth of MA Senate Citation for Leadership in Suicide Prevention in 2018 as well as other community service awards. He is certified by Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) International. He holds a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Police Science.
“I look forward to engaging with the NSCC community as it is important for our force to be seen as providing service to the community, not just enforcement,” Marshall said. “We want our students to have a successful academic year and, by building relationships with them, we can contribute to that.”