Darton State College in Georgia has come under fire after a professor kicked an armed police officer out of a class because the officer's presence allegedly made the professor feel “uncomfortable.”
Darton State College administrators confirm that the officer, who was taking classes at the college, was escorted out of the class. The school is now apologizing for the incident.
While the officer did not work for the city, the incident caught the attention of the regional police officers union.
“I find it a bit disturbing that someone would object to having an armed law enforcement officer in the classroom,” said Tim Reichert, spokesman for the Southern States Police Benevolent Association. “Much less, the very professor teaching the class.”
In the wake of the incident, the college is in full damage control mode.
“Darton State College is appreciative for the service of our law enforcement, and welcome them as students on our campus,” Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Tom Ormand said. “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.”
Perhaps having an armed officer in the classroom isn't the worst idea, considering that an armed robbery recently took place on the campus in which three gunman robbed an individual of his shoes and truck keys last June.
College officials have not released any statement as to why the professor was so uncomfortable with having a law enforcement officer in his class. The school prohibits firearms on campus but does make an exception for police officers.