CCSF Police Chief Quits Over Gun Policy

Jun. 7 - KGO (KGO) -- The police chief at City College of San Francisco has resigned over a question of security. He wanted his officers to be able to carry guns on campus, especially in light of a recent incident, but he was overruled.

In late April, 52-year-old Peter Lee rushed into a classroom in the science building, dressed in camouflage. Students say he threatened to kill everyone. But campus police had to wait until S.F.P.D. arrived before they could respond. That's because campus cops don't carry guns -- only pepper spray and batons.

Fortunately, Lee was not armed either and they arrested him without incident.

Since last year, City College Police Chief Carl Koehler has been lobbying the administration to allow his officers to carry guns.

Carl Koehler, CCSF Police Chief: "In this day and age, there are guns on campus, but the police don't have them."

The carnage at Virginia Tech convinced Chief Koehler even more that his officers need to be armed. But he was fighting a 70-year-old college policy prohibiting its officers from carrying guns.

In the end, Chief Koehler lost. He resigned this week.

He said in an e-mail to his officers, "the reasons are many, but mainly evolve around my proposal to arm the district police officers."

Peter Goldstein, CCSF Vice Chancellor: "The police force does not carry weapons... I guess he felt that ultimately didn't fit in with his vision of where the department should be."

Koehler was unavailable for comment. His officers declined to talk on camera. Privately, they told us they're angry and frustrated. But the administration has no intention of changing policy.

ABC7's Vic Lee: "So it's a dead issue?"

Peter Goldstein: "At this point, I'd say unless the board of trustees wishes to consider it, it's not an issue for the college."

So, City College police will continue patrolling this campus unarmed, protected only by their bulletproof vests.

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