University of Illinois Agreement to share students/research with Blackwater Security

[Robbien]

The director of the Police Training at the University of Illinois set up a five year contract with Blackwater to conduct research together, share facilities and exchange students and staff. Too bad this University Director had a huge conflict of interest (ha! He was also an employee of Blackwater).

U of I officials last month canceled the five-year deal, which didn't mention money, saying Dempsey never told them he was negotiating personal contracting work while helping orchestrate the partnership with the North Carolina company.


Dempsey, a former Marine, used his accrued paid-vacation time from the university to work as an independent consultant training police in Afghanistan.

He returned in August and resigned "in light of the controversy surrounding his affiliation with Blackwater," university spokeswoman Robin Kaler said.
. . .

Dempsey was negotiating employment with both the university and Blackwater "at the same time and no one above you was informed of both these relationships ...The chronology raises more questions than answers."

. . .

Blackwater, based in Moyock, North Carolina, is known for providing paramilitary personnel for U.S. war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The company also opened an 80-acre police training center, Blackwater North, in April in Mount Carroll, Illinois, about 60 miles west of Rockford.

http://www.wral.com/news/state/story/1788181/

This deal has been canceled, but the most disturbing issue to me is not the conflict of interest. What is disturbing is that a state University who educates students on police work is willing to work together with a privately paid military organization.

Yikes.

[Robbien]

1. No interest? What, everyone knew this and

I am the only one surprised/concerned about this joining of universities and mercs? Sadly, this wouldn't be the first time I am last to know.

[chimpymustgo]

2. That's very disturbing. I wouldn't send my kid to that school

Very bad judgement and lack of oversight.

[Robbien]

3. How do you know the situation of any university you picked

This one got in the papers because the guy at the university was double dealing. Before that fact was known, the contract was signed, sealed and delivered. It was only canceled because of the crooked director. It was not canceled because of the scary implications of such a contract. Who knows how many other such contracts may be out there between other universities and Blackwater.