U of Illinois Severs Blackwater Deal

[sabra]

Source: AP

CHICAGO -

The University of Illinois has canceled a partnership between its police-training institute and a military contractor best known for providing security forces in Iraq and Afghanistan because of a potential conflict of interest.

The company, however, says it hasn't received the letter.

The university, which inked the five-year deal in May, scrapped the partnership with Blackwater USA because the institute's director, Tom Dempsey, hadn't informed the school he was negotiating personal contracting work with Blackwater while helping coordinate the partnership.

In an Aug. 15 letter sent to Blackwater and first reported by the Chicago Tribune (nyse: TRB - news - people ), Chancellor Richard Herman said the agreement was entered into "in a manner which was inconsistent with university policy."

...

The agreement between the university and Blackwater didn't mention money, but indicated the Police Training Institute and Blackwater would exchange faculty, work with each other's students and conduct unspecified research together.

Read more: http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/08/22/ap4044532.html

[donsu]

1. everywhere you look in america Blackwater has their bloody footprint

nt

[sabra]

2. this is scary stuff... University police trained by Blackwater... very scary

[madrchsod]

3. most of the police/sheriff forces in northern illinois

have been trained at the blackwater facility in northern illinois....i feel so safe knowing they have.....

[alfredo]

4. Blackwater, the new Pinkerton. Look for them to be used as

company goons. Look for them to be suppressing strikes and other pro labor activities.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinkerton_National_Detective_Agency