Northern Illinois University Beefs Up Security With 16 New Officers

DeKalb, Ill.-based Northern Illinois University (NIU) officials say the school has added 16 full-time security officers.

NIU Lieutenant Todd Henert says the Public Safety Department now has 59 full-time officers.

NIU Police Chief Don Grady says security guards have also been hired, mostly to serve on a late-night bus service. He says the school is working on other security changes, but declined to talk about them because he says they’re still in the planning phase.

A former NIU graduate student opened fire in a Cole Hall classroom on February 14th, killing five students before committing suicide.

Earlier this month Governor Rod Blagojevich signed a bill that requires all Illinois colleges and universities to plan and practice for emergencies.