Wake Tech forming campus police force

The police force, which will begin patrolling in July, will oversee security and enforce the law at all Wake Tech locations, college officials said. Fourteen sworn law enforcement officers will be hired for the new force, and they will work alongside campus security officers already at Wake Tech.

“The time is right, given the troubling fact that violent incidents continue on college and university campuses,” Wake Tech President Stephen Scott said in a statement. "We believe it’s prudent to step up security now, and the presence of sworn officers will provide students and staff with the safety and assurance they need to learn and thrive.”

Wake Tech operates five campuses and two training centers across the county and has purchased land for a sixth campus near Research Triangle Park.

All campuses in the University of North Carolina system and 14 North Carolina community colleges have similar campus police departments, officials said.