Gregory Cranson has been selected as SCC’s acting Director of Safety and Security through August 31, effective immediately. The move comes after former Director Edwin Lucero left the college to pursue a new position elsewhere, according to an announcement from the college.

Cranson praised Lucero’s work as “superb.” Lucero had worked at SCC for more than 20 years, a number of those in the director position.

“I am lucky to be handed a well-functioning department.” Cranson told The Ebbtide in an emailed statement. “That being said, I have yet to hear of true perfection ever being achieved. Every organization and individual should always strive to continue bettering oneself, this department included.”

The position of acting director includes duties such as developing departmental policies, keeping the college informed about relevant legal progress and advising the executive team in emergency situations.

“As Acting Director, I’m here to lead and provide vision for the department, aiming to provide the highest achievable amount of safety, security, and service to the college,” Cranson wrote.

Before coming to SCC, Cranson worked for three years as a supervisor in the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel. He joined SCC’s Safety and Security Office in August 2015, serving three years as a sergeant prior to his promotion to acting director.

“As a Sergeant, it was my job to support the Director’s vision and do my best to equip the Officers with knowledge and training that would allow them to best execute the Director’s vision,” he says.

Although he misses the “field work,” Cranson finds that his new role is to develop that vision while tackling a greater amount of administrative work.

“This responsibility is definitely new for me,” Cranson wrote, “but I am excited to take it on.”