University Police Transition Complete
After months of extensive training and preparation, The University of Scranton’s Public Safety Department officially began to operate a full service, professional University Police force as of 7 a.m. on Aug. 21, 2010.
“University Police are the primary law enforcement agency for The University of Scranton campus, buildings and properties, with the same authority, capabilities, training and certifications as police officers in cities, townships and boroughs,” said Donald Bergmann, director of public safety and chief of police.
Through the summer months, University Police Officers engaged in extensive training that exceeded requirements of municipal police departments. Training consisted of Use of Force Justification by Chief Lou Demark, a topic matter expert and associate with Margolis, Healy & Associates. In addition to 80 hours of firearms training in the Police Academy, University Officers received additional training in building searches, marksmanship and advanced tactics. All officers also participated in medical, psychological, and drug screening.
“These officers were already certified police officers with arrest powers on campus,” Bergmann said. “Many also continue to serve as law enforcement officers in surrounding boroughs.”
University Police will continue to deter and prevent crime by patrolling the entire campus and surrounding areas, responding to all emergencies, conducting criminal investigations, enforcing parking regulations, and working in close cooperation with the Office of Student Conduct. A new University Police patrol vehicle is already in service, complete with redesigned graphics.
“As we make this transition, our focus as University Police is unchanged. We will work in partnership with students, faculty, staff and members of the community to provide a safe and secure environment where the quality of education is enhanced through the delivery of fair and impartial police services,” Bergmann said.
“University Police will continue to work closely with the Scranton Police Department. We have already met with Scranton’s next Chief of Police, Daniel Duffy, who formerly served as a University of Scranton Public Safety Officer,” Bergmann said. “We both expect strong communication, coordination and cooperation to continue.”
Over the summer, Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., University President, announced a change in the reporting structure for the Department of Public Safety. The Department of Public Safety now reports to Vincent Carilli, Ph.D., vice president for student affairs.
“I look forward to working with Chief Bergmann and his team to further the already close working relationship that exists between the Public Safety Department and the Office of Student Affairs,” Dr. Carilli said.
The Public Safety Department has also been restructured. Timothy Briggs was promoted to assistant director of administrative services and will oversee training and recruitment, the accreditation process, communications and parking services. Thomas Cadugan was promoted to assistant director of police operations and will coordinate the daily activities of all police operations, investigations and crime prevention.
Two former Public Safety Officers will remain as Service Officers. These officers, who do not have firearms or arrest powers, will focus on parking enforcement and patrolling the main campus. In addition, the Student Officer Program will continue to support the department by providing on-campus patrols, walking safety escorts, and assisting in all crime prevention initiatives. The Service Officers and Student Officers will wear uniforms different than the University Police Officers.