Temple University welcomed eight new police officers Friday, March 17. The Philadelphia Police Academy's graduation ceremony was held at Temple's McGonigle Hall and was preceded by a special private badge-pinning ceremony, where loved ones pin the new officer's badge to their uniform.  

The new officers bring the Temple University Police Department's (TUPD) sworn force to 104, plus 35 security officers, 23 communications center dispatchers and 10 administrative professionals. This is in addition to a co-patrol partnership with the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD), which incorporates additional PPD coverage in Temple's patrol zone and in exceptional cases.  

"We are excited to welcome these new officers to the Temple University family. Our field training officers are ready to mentor them, and our entire agency is looking forward to warmly receiving them," said Jennifer Griffin, Temple's vice president for public safety. She noted that adding officers to the Police Department is just one part of their multiprong approach to reducing crime. In addition to expanding personnel, Griffin is reorganizing the department around the pillars of training, equipment and technology, strategy, and collaboration. 

The cadets who joined TUPD's ranks as police officers are Daniel Kornak, Demetrius McCain, Jacob Millevoi, Christopher Peralta, Daniel Regan, Brandon Sin, Mariah Vadel and Brianna Witherspoon. The group has a diverse range of skill sets and is eager to give back to Temple and the North Philadelphia community. Notably, McCain already has over a decade of previous law enforcement experience as a probation parole officer. He was also born and raised in North Philadelphia and believes this knowledge of the neighborhood will help him serve both communities. 

Joining TUPD is a particularly resonant milestone for Kornak, CLA '20; Millevoi, CLA '21; and Vadel, CLA '18, who are all recent graduates of Temple's criminal justice program. They see this career step as a significant way for them to give back to the Temple community. 

It is also a special moment for Witherspoon, whose father worked as a Temple police officer throughout her childhood. Their close relationship meant that Witherspoon long ago set her sights on becoming a Temple police officer herself. In fact, she worked as a dispatcher for TUPD for several years prior to joining the academy. Friday's graduation ceremony saw Witherspoon fulfill her dream of stepping into an officer's uniform just like her father, who attended the ceremony and presented her with her new badge.