Hillcrest College: Rehiring of security guard raises concern

A security guard who was made redundant at a troubled Queensland private school earlier this year after concerns about his conduct has been rehired.

A SECURITY guard who was made redundant at a troubled Gold Coast private school earlier this year after concerns about his conduct has been rehired.

The former military policeman is already sparking complaints from parents and staff at Hillcrest Christian College, with his german shepherd guard dog allegedly biting a young student and a bus driver in recent weeks.

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The guard’s position at Hillcrest was made redundant in February but he has been rehired by besieged principal Jeff Davis.

Facebook picture of the college’s security guard.

Sources say he has a body-worn camera and an “intimidating” guard dog.

He was also called in to a staff meeting this week to monitor staff phone use after Mr Davis raised concerns about a series of damaging leaks.

The Sunday Mail has learned the guard was made redundant over concerns including “entirely unacceptable” behaviour, a failure to follow instructions, and a disrespect for the school’s authority.

His reinstatement has raised eyebrows at the college, which has been rocked by months of turmoil including bullying allegations against Mr Davis – which he strongly denies – an exodus of staff and students and concerns over hundreds of thousands of dollars in loans to a private company set up to commercialise a reading program.

The Sunday Mail has learned the guard was made redundant over concerns including “entirely unacceptable” behaviour, a failure to follow instructions, and a disrespect for the school’s authority.

An investigation ordered by the college board last month cleared Mr Davis of any wrongdoing.

However, some Hillcrest parents and staff are questioning the decision of rehiring the guard who has allegedly been involved in a number of incidents since returning to the school in July.

A student was allegedly bitten by the guard’s dog during a recent sports carnival while a school bus driver was also bitten, a source said.

“Complaints have been lodged with the school hierarchy from parents and raised by staff but nothing has been done about the security guard or the dog,” a source told The Sunday Mail.

“Staff are too afraid to go to management with their concerns. What we are talking about here is a serious duty of care issue which needs to be addressed, and urgently.”

The guard could not be contacted for comment.

Originally published as Hillcrest College: Rehiring of security guard raises concern