College community welcomes Ted Yang, Vuthy Long, and Terry Linston
Inver Hills Community College has hired three new security officers for the college’s campus in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. Tony Pangal serves as the safety and security director at Inver Hills and Dakota County Technical College (DCTC). Tony has been looking forward to introducing the new security officers, Ted Yang, Vuthy Long, and Terry Linston, to our campus community.
“I’m excited to have our new team assembled,” Tony said. “I am confident they will provide excellent service while ensuring the safety of our students, faculty, staff, and guests. Our search committee was extremely selective in choosing candidates who matched our campus culture. Our new officers will provide long-term professional service to our community.”
The Safety & Security department enforces campus policies and the student code of conduct. Through mutual aid, the department assists with enforcement of local, state, and federal laws. For additional security services, Safety & Security also contracts with the local police department.
The college’s security officers patrol campus facilities and grounds, continually alert for security, emergency, and safety incidents. Security officers respond to all issues in a courteous and professional manner. They are trained to resolve issues promptly, escalating to the proper resource when necessary. The paramount goal of our campus security officers is maintaining the safety and security of our college community.
Campus security officer duties
Friendly customer service with a safety and security mindset.
- Respond to service requests by the campus community, answer questions, and provide direction.
- Provide ongoing education in applying campus and Minnesota State security, safety, and emergency policies and procedures; e.g. drug, alcohol, traffic, parking, special events, safe work practices, applicable college policies, and city ordinances, and state and federal laws to ensure the public safety of the campus community.
- Perform record-keeping and reporting of safety and security incidents, safety equipment and property inspections and maintenance. Ensuring that equipment is operating properly and incident details/data are accurately captured/recorded in a timely manner.
- Conduct interviews with victims, witnesses, and others, and to preserve and protect evidence so that incidents can be resolved in a timely manner, or if warranted, an external investigation can be pursued.
- Perform other duties as assigned to ensure the smooth functioning of the department and maintain the reputation of the organization as a viable business partner.
Meet our new campus security officers
Terry Linston
Hometown: Woodbury, Minnesota
Credentials: High school diploma, CPR certification, de-escalation training, Certified Healthcare Security Officer (CHSO) via IAHSS
Experience: Hospital security officer for 10 years
Q & A
Why did you choose to work in the campus security industry?
I felt this would be a great new challenge learning the operation of college campus security. When I saw the security officer position open at Inver Hills, I thought this will be a good fit with my knowledge and experience.
What are your work goals as you become more familiar with Inver Hills campus?
Interacting with the staff and faculty who make up the Inver Hills community to make the campus a safe and healthy environment.
What is the most important responsibility of a campus security officer?
To prevent danger and protect the well-being of staff, faculty, students, and property. The most important thing a security officer can do is be proactive, visible, and consistent across all duties and protocols.
Vuthy Long
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Credentials: College graduate 2003
Experience: Saint Paul College Public Safety, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Minnesota State Patrol, Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC), Hennepin Healthcare (HCMC)
Q & A:
Why did you choose to work in the campus security industry?
I wanted a balance of a great home life with job security while still being able to serve the public.
What are your work goals as you become more familiar with the Inver Hills campus community?
I want students, staff, and faculty to feel comfortable around me and to say hello.
What is the most important responsibility of a campus security officer?
Making people feel safe, being a resource, and ensuring those who come to campus to learn/work go home at the end of the day safely are my top responsibilities.
Ted Yang
Hometown: St. Paul, Minnesota
Credentials: High school diploma, disciplined work ethic, occupational and life experiences
Experience: Security officer for 10+ years working for business offices, hotels, clinics, hospitals, special detail assignments, and now a college campus
Q & A:
Why did you choose to work in the campus security industry?
I saw it as an opportunity to test my versatility in a new work environment by lending my service to new challenges and experiences.
What are your work goals as you become more familiar with the Inver Hills campus community?
My goal as a campus security officer is to advertise our department as an available resource to all staff and students. Another objective is to assist my department in incorporating new security protocols and procedures to maintain a safe academic and work environment.
What is the most important responsibility of a campus security officer?
The most import responsibility of a campus security officer is to be vigilant by maintaining his or her integrity, ensuring a safe and secured campus.
Learn more about Safety & Security at Inver Hills by contacting:
Tony Pangal
Director of Safety & Security
Inver Hills Community College
Dakota County Technical College
Inver Hills: 651-450-3545
DCTC: 651- 423-8774
Emergency Contacts
Medical/Fire/Police: Dial 911
Campus Security: 651-450-3711 or 612-430-2002 (Cell)Non-Emergency Contacts
Escort Request: 651-239-9136
Health and Safety Officer: 651-450-3555
Campus Supervisor: 651-583-4933 (security director cell phone)Safety Tip of the Month: January — Cold Weather Tips
Important links
Safety & Security Emergency Preparedness
Shared Services Emergency Management Plan
