Scottville, WSCC considering police partnership.

Scottville, WSCC considering police partnership. 

SCOTTVILLE — The City of Scottville is currently in discussions with West Shore Community College to provide police services on the college’s main campus in Victory Township. During the City Commission meeting Monday, Aug. 3, Police Chief Matt Murphy told the commissioners that he has been in discussions with WSCC President Scott Ward. 

In 2019 the WSCC Board of Trustees made a proposal to the Mason County Board of Commissioners requesting the Mason County Sheriff’s Office provide police services for the campus, but the County Commission rejected the proposal, despite the support of Sheriff Kim Cole.

The college, in turn, approached the City of Scottville. It is proposing Scottville Police Department be present at various times during normal class days and also be available for special events. Funding for the position would come from WSCC which has set aside monies in a campus safety account.

The agreement with WSCC will also assist SPD’s goal of providing a school resource officer at Mason County Central Schools, Murphy said.

Though Scottville police officers are deputized by the sheriff’s office, giving the officers authority to enforce state laws outside the city limits, the City of Scottville has requested that the college board of trustees contract with the Scottville Police Department under the Community College Act of 1966 (Act 331 of 1966) which states, under Michigan Compiled Law (MCL) 389.128, that “…the board of trustees of a community college created under this act may grant to the public safety officers or police officers of that community college the powers and authority of a peace or law enforcement officer. Public safety officers or police officers granted the powers and authority under this act shall have the same powers and authority of a peace officer under the code of criminal procedure.” 

“This is a great opportunity for the City of Scottville to add additional service to our citizens and Mason County Central Schools while also forming a great relationship with West Shore Community College,” Murphy said. 

Please consider helping to fund local news. Mason County Press and Oceana County Press are available for free thanks to the generous support of our advertisers and individuals who support our service. Click on the PayPal donation button located on the top right of our website. 

This story is copyrighted © 2020, all rights reserved by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. No portion of this story or images may be reproduced in any way, including print or broadcast, without expressed written consent.