Spartan Times

Spotlight on…Chris Congemi, keeper of the peace

Ayzha Haili
Reporter

Here on the Colorado Northwestern Community College-Rangely Campus, we have been introduced to many new faces. Among those new faces in the staff at CNCC is Security Coordinator Christopher Congemi, who actually graduated from the CNCC Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) and the National Parks Services (NPS) Academy in December of 2006.

“I chose CNCC because this Academy offered many courses and certifications that other academies in Colorado did not,” said Congemi. “Choosing to come back here and work was easy for me; I was familiar with the college and the Academy, and I also enjoy the small town atmosphere of Rangely. I’m a strong believer in giving back to the community that helped me to succeed.”

Congemi is originally from Long Island, N.Y. In New York, he worked 15 years as a security police officer for Brookhaven National Laboratory, a science and research facility for the U.S. Department of Energy. While at Brookhaven, he obtained the rank of captain and was a training manager for the safeguards and the security division.

“I have been in law enforcement for about 19 years now,” said Congemi.

He moved to Colorado about four years ago and has been living just outside of Cripple Creek in the Pikes Peak region.

“Family and the love of the outdoors brought me to Colorado. We (my wife and I) chose the Cripple Creek area due to the beauty of the Pikes Peak Region and (we were) fortunate in finding and purchasing an amazing alpine ranch,” said Congemi. “I received my Associates of Applied Science (AAS) in Criminal Justice from Suffolk County Community College in Selden, N.Y. and my Bachelor’s in Human Relations from St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue, N.Y.”

Upon coming to Colorado and after attaining his POST certification, he became a police officer at the Cripple Creek Police Department. He worked for Cripple Creek for a year and a half and was then offered the chief of police position with the City of Victor Police Department in Colorado.

After eventually leaving Victor, he worked as a seasonal Colorado employee at Eleven Mile and Spinney State Parks.

It was not too long after that, in Fall 2010, that Congemi found himself here on the CNCC-Rangely campus, working a split position between academy coordinator, in which he instructs classes for the Park Ranger Academy, and security coordinator, in which he is responsible for the overall safety and security of the College.

“Choosing this as an occupation was an easy decision for me; my job combines two of my favorite subjects, teaching and law enforcement,” said Congemi.

His colleague agrees. “His experience and enthusiasm brings a lot to the table,” said NPS coordinator Joe Sears.

Congemi’s security coordinator duties include overseeing the campus security program, as well as the security intern recruits. Services provided by the department include campus patrols, parking enforcement, staff/student escorts, securing facilities in the evenings, motorist assistance, and assistance in emergency situations. Security also maintains the lost and found.

His academy coordinator duties include instructing the seasonal National Park Services (NPS) Ranger recruits, assisting the seasonal NPS academy candidates in the application process, scheduling NPS academy instructors, and the implementation of the seasonal NPS law enforcement training program.

“My job is both challenging and rewarding, and I take my positions very seriously,” said Congemi. “Teaching individuals to become our future law enforcement officers is something I take great pride in.”

As security coordinator, he feels that by working closely with students, faculty and staff, together they can build a comprehensive security program that will create a safe working and learning environment for CNCC.

“As with any new program, the first step is to build a foundation with good policies and procedures,” said Congemi.

The first things he did were update the campus security webpage with information regarding everything from emergency planning to safety and security awareness. Some of the areas that he has worked on are a security orientation program, emergency management, a parking enforcement program, and new key control systems.

“It has been some time since CNCC has had a formal security program on campus, and with a program such as this, I know that it will take time to develop and implement,” said Congemi. “Security is always seen as a necessary evil, but with a little help from everyone on campus I know that we can change the attitudes towards security and create a safer, more enjoyable CNCC experience for everyone.”

Congemi adds that he’s always open to community concerns and suggestions.

“I want the CNCC community to know that my door is always open and that everyone should feel free to contact me with any questions, suggestions or concerns,” said Congemi. “I look forward to meeting and working with everyone.”

Take a look at the new campus security webpage that contains numerous safety and security related topics designed to assist the CNCC community.

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