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Documents Reveal Guards Were Not Authorized to Carry Firearms at Whitman College
Whitman College is facing growing scrutiny after it was revealed that armed security guards stationed on campus lacked proper licensing, raising serious concerns about compliance with both state regulations and school policy. Licensing documents reviewed by The Wire indicate that Security First, the private security firm contracted to provide protection, does not have authorization to deploy armed personnel.
According to an anonymous source who shared official records, Security First holds a valid Security Guard program license (License No. 24024665), which was issued on September 11, 2024, and is active through September 11, 2025. However, the firm’s registered employees—including Jeff Scott Preas, Landon W Adams, and David Lee Neissl—are only certified as “Unarmed Security Guards.” Preas is also listed as the “Unarmed Principal/Qualifying Agent,” making him the responsible party for the firm’s licensing compliance.
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Conflicting Reports Spark Investigation Into Campus Firearm Presence
The situation escalated after a security guard was seen visibly armed outside Memorial Hall. When The Wire asked the guard to confirm whether the holstered weapon was a firearm, the guard refused to comment. However, Whitman College President Sarah Bolton later confirmed in an email to campus that “the officer was, in fact, armed.”
This revelation prompted further questions, especially given that campus policy prohibits firearms for anyone other than sworn law enforcement officers. “It is against college policy for anyone other than sworn law enforcement officers in the course of their duties to carry firearms on campus,” Bolton stated in the same email.
The Walla Walla Police Department also confirmed it had been notified about the armed security presence by Greg Powell, the school’s security director. “We were advised by the security director that Whitman started supplementing security with a private armed security firm,” Sgt. Nick Loudermilk told The Wire, noting that Whitman’s in-house security staff continues regular operations.
Security First Silent Amid Public Backlash
Attempts to obtain comment from Security First have been unsuccessful. Not only has the firm failed to respond to multiple outreach efforts from The Wire, but it has reportedly blocked one of the reporters’ phone numbers, further fueling concern about transparency.
An update received at 8:10 PM revealed that David Lee Neissl, the officer stationed at Memorial Hall during the previous night, admitted to a student that he was armed. This confirmation aligns with Bolton’s public statement and appears to directly contradict the school’s stated expectations for contractor behavior on campus. According to Bolton, the security guards “are not intended to engage with students or others on campus in the course of their work.”
The incident raises broader questions about accountability, communication between campus leadership and the student body, and vetting procedures for third-party security providers. While intended to enhance safety, the presence of unauthorized armed personnel has led to widespread concern among students, faculty, and the wider community.
As of now, there has been no official response or corrective action announced by Security First or campus administration regarding the licensing breach.
