Temple University’s Department of Public Safety (TUDPS) has welcomed seven new faces to their department and the campus. Four of the police officers just graduated from the Philadelphia Police Academy earlier in June. Three other police officers come to TUDPS with previous law enforcement experience.

“The newest additions to TUDPS will serve the Temple and north Philadelphia community well,” said Chief and Vice President for Public Safety Jennifer Griffin. “These police officers are joining a dedicated and professional organization and will add to the excellence of Temple’s police department.”

Director of Tactical and Professional Development Chris Willard says being proactive is an important part of recruiting new police officers. 

“Across the country, we’re seeing police departments having to compete with each other from the same pool of candidates. So we’re making sure that we’re going out to all of the job fairs and visiting local police academies. We're also highlighting the department's sign-on bonus, which is one of several new additions we've made to recruiting” Willard said. 

For those who want to become Temple police officers, TUDPS will pay for their training in the police academy. After graduation, each new officer will be assigned a field training officer and will receive hands-on experience before moving on to patrol. Following the completion of both training and probation, the starting salary for Temple police officers is $72,739. Police officers also receive $2,500 sign-on bonuses.

“Temple University’s police department is one of the biggest university police departments in the state,” Willard said. “Not only do we cover multiple campuses, but we also have the patrol zone, which extends off property. So patrolling here is unique because you get the best of both worlds.”

“The university police department is a great place to learn, grow and make a contribution to an amazing university and north Philadelphia community,” Griffin said. “Whether our officers are out on foot patrol in their uniforms, part of the bike unit, engagement unit, recruitment unit, dignitary protection or any of our other units, we offer a lot of opportunities for growth.”

Watch some of our newest officers describe the importance of community policing:

Heru Shabazz proudly traded in his security officer shirt and hat for a Temple University police uniform. The 32-year-old started his training at the Philadelphia Police Academy in September after working as a Temple security officer for two years. Before that, he was an Allied Universal security officer and worked at Temple in that position for two years. 

“I’m extremely excited to be back on Temple University’s campus,” he said after graduating from the police academy. “I’m excited to learn and I’m looking forward to engaging with our students, working hand-in-hand with our dispatchers and reconnecting with our security officers.” 

Griffin said: “Heru has been an amazing security officer who truly enjoyed his job. We’re thrilled he took the step to become a police officer.”

Marquice Q. Williams, 37, hails from Northeast Philadelphia and also graduated from the Philadelphia Police Academy in June. He said that he is excited to help the Temple community and act as a support for students. 

“What I am looking forward to most as a Temple University police officer is the opportunity to contribute to the community through service, ensuring safety and building positive relationships with the people I serve,” Williams said. “I am thrilled about the prospect of applying my knowledge and skills to make a meaningful difference and uphold the values of integrity and professionalism in law enforcement.”

He also said he’s proud to wear the Temple University Police uniform.

Manny Perdue, 47, has a love of learning. Originally from West Philadelphia, he graduated from Overbrook High School, he attended Benedict College in South Carolina to study criminal justice. He later earned a master’s degree in diversity, equity and inclusion from Widener University in 2023. Over the last year, the father of six decided he wanted to become a police officer and graduated from the patrol academy in June. 

“As a first-generation police officer, I wanted to do something that my kids can look up to,” he said. “I chose law enforcement because it is a rewarding career.”

Perdue’s children range in age from 10–19 and he hopes they all become Owls.

“The tuition remission that the university offers is one of the greatest benefits of joining the department,” he said. 

Perdue also wants to pursue his doctorate at Temple for cyber security, “so I can still make a difference and protect people in a different capacity.” 

Brennan Sullivan, 26, comes to TUDPS with a military background. Sullivan served as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army from 2016 to 2021 and was deployed to Syria and Turkey, where he gained a deeper understanding of people.

“I learned that no matter what country that you’re from or where you live, everyone has human dignity,” he said. “Treating people with compassion and respect are skills that I’ll need as a police officer. I need to relate to everyone from college students to staff and faculty to community members—everyone wants to have respect.”

Sullivan is also aiming to further his education and plans to enroll at Temple to study foreign languages through the university’s tuition remission program. 

Jacky Tran, 23, previously worked as a police officer in the East Lansdowne Police Department. The Upper Darby native is looking forward to being a support for students, staff and community members. 

“As a police officer, I know I will be able to make a difference in students’ lives and make sure they know that Temple University police officers are here for them,” Tran said. “I’m also interested in furthering my education and am eager to learn more about forensics. I want to make a difference in peoples’ lives and use forensics to do it.” 

Sean Tohidi, 35, comes to TUDPS from the Reading City Police Department and was inspired to get into law enforcement by his uncle, who is a retired police chief himself.

“I always knew I wanted to become a police officer,” Tohidi said. “There’s a lot of pride that comes with wearing the Temple University Police uniform and badge. I want the Temple community to know that if you need directions, need to find a lost item or need help in any other capacity, I am here for you.”

Jeremy Mask, 28, has a passion for law enforcement. In addition to his TUDPS responsibilities, he is also currently serving as a military police officer with the National Guard. Mask was deployed to Guantanamo Bay in September 2021 for almost a year, where he learned to maintain peace among detainees and build relationships.  

His interest in becoming a Temple police officer sparked after Director Willard came to his police academy during a recruitment campaign, when Mask learned that the duties extend beyond patrolling campus. Temple Police protect and serve students, staff and faculty as well as community members who live outside of campus but within the university’s patrol zone. 

“Director Willard helped to open my eyes about furthering my education. I’d like to attend classes in criminal justice,” he said.

Mask is also proud to wear the uniform because “I’ve always been big into making my community and my country better,” he said. “I want to be the officer who makes a difference and helps my neighbors.”