THE DISPATCH
NOVEMBER 2021
THE DISPATCH The University of Scranton Police Department
IN THIS ISSUE: A Message from the Chief Emergency Preparedness - Safety is Shared Responsibility Spotlight: Student Officer Miranda Deevy Promoted to Lieutenant Quick Tip - Holiday Shopping Welcome New Staff
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF by Chief Donald Bergmann
Hiring has become more important and challenging than ever. It may be different for other campuses, but we seem to have the most success in hiring newer officers, rather than retirees or someone looking for a change. Newer officers tend to be more enthusiastic and have a greater willingness to learn. The drawback is once they gain experience they tend to move on after only a couple of years. Although, I’m grateful for the time they’ve given us and feel a sense of accomplishment in their success, this leaves us in a perpetual hiring process. Our staff are widely recognized for their professionalism and are very marketable in today’s competition for the best police officers. So our success has brought us some unintended consequences. In spite of these challenges, we cannot lower our standards as we remain committed to hiring only the best candidates for our campus. We have two new officers that have just completed four weeks of field training. Both are recent graduates of the ACT 120 program at Lackawanna College and will be joining the patrol staff in a few days. Pictures of our new staff are located on the last page of the newsletter. If you encounter them, or any of our other patrol officers, please say hello and introduce yourself. We would love to meet you.
UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
THE DISPATCH
NOVEMBER 2021
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS Navigate emergency situations with greater confidence by reviewing the information below.
Over the summer months, University Police completed an exterior door labeling project; placing labeled signage on exterior doors that corresponds to how doors are coded in the department's system. This ensures the most effective communication between emergency responders and dispatchers.
A disaster or critical incident may occur at any time without warning. In an effort to protect our safety and minimize disruption, everyone must take steps to prepare for such an event. This responsibility lies with both the individual and at an organizational level. There are a variety of actions that you can take prior to an event that will assist you in being personally prepared:
Save all emergency numbers in your phone: University Police (570) 941-7777 for emergencies (570) 941-7888 for non-emergencies. Emergency Notification System numbers: (570) 941-5427 by phone and 893-61 or 878-44 by text message. Be familiar with your nearest exit areas. Know where to report during an evacuation.
Participate in routine emergency drills. Follow up with University Police with any additional questions. To report security issues, injuries, fires, accidents and all other types of emergency situations, contact University Police at 7777 or (570)-941-7777 from noncampus phones or call 9-1-1.
Holiday Shopping Safety Whether you enjoy hunting for deals in-person, or from the comfort of your home, the holiday shopping season is upon us. Follow these simple tips to stay safe this holiday season. Safety in Stores/Parking Lots Use only one credit card for purchases. If there are problems; you only have to cancel one card Ask for help with heavy or bulky items Keep your receipts and monitor your credit card activity Park in well-lit areas Store packages in your trunk or keep them out of plain site Be patient in parking lots and watch for pedestrians Safety on the Internet Buy from retailers you already know Research unfamiliar businesses by reading reviews or by checking with the Better Business Bureau Refrain from using public wi-fi when making purchases Check a webpage's security by looking for the lock icon in the URL field and make sure the web address starts with "https".
UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
THE DISPATCH
NOVEMBER 2021
Spotlight: Miranda Deevy Promoted to Lieutenant of Student Officer Program
I joined the Student Officer program in August 2019, in the first semester of my freshman year here at Scranton. I chose Scranton because of the community as well as the opportunities provided to me by joining the Student Officer Program. I worked the entirety of my first year in the program as a non-ranking student officer, where I focused my attention on gaining information from everyone I could. Going into my second year here at the U, I became a Corporal in the program and spent the duration of my second-year teaching and training probationary Student Officers any and all pieces of information regarding the program, and passing on knowledge to the next generation of Student Officers. It was during this time that I applied my leadership to other aspects of the University community,
UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
becoming the Secretary of the Irish Cultural Society and the Event Coordinator and Liaison for the Criminal Justice Club on campus. I am also a member of the New Student Orientation Program where I take knowledge about the University and its community that I learn from this job, and I pass it on to the new generation of Royals. Going into my third year in the program, I applied for and got promoted to the rank of Sergeant in the program. In my last three years within this program, I have gained such a love and respect for this program. The passion I have for the job and the love I have for the department far surpasses any job description. I am so thankful for my promotion to Lieutenant of the Student Officer Program, and I look forward to the new chapter of the program with the coming years!
THE DISPATCH
NOVEMBER 2021
STOP THE BLEED TRAINING
Pictures from a 2019 campus training.
Please join us in welcoming our newest staff members to the University of Scranton community.
Maureen Krapf, Dispatcher
Peter Egan, Patrol Officer
Peter Nguyen, Patrol Officer
Contact us with questions at 570-941-7888 or at universitypolice@scranton.edu Follow us on social media for departmental news and updates.
@upd7777 University of Scranton Police Department
UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPARTMENT