Jennifer Griffin, chief of police and vice president for public safety, has been named a finalist for Campus Safety Director of the Year by Campus Safety Magazine.  
 
“It’s humbling to be nominated for this distinguished honor. Here at the Department of Public Safety, we’re committed to building partnerships to solve problems and improve public safety for everyone who lives, works and visits the Temple and North Philadelphia communities—they are the reason we do the work,” Griffin said. 
 
This is Campus Safety Magazine’s 18th annual Director of the Year awards, which garnered almost 200 submissions from across the country. Judges then narrowed it down to just 11 finalists. 
 
“Chief Griffin has been a trailblazer, making numerous upgrades to campus safety. That’s why a group of public safety employees and others from across the university came together to nominate the chief for this award, unbeknownst to her,” said Michael Smith, Temple’s deputy police chief. 
 
Griffin said the nomination is a reflection of the work of the department as a whole.  
 
“I am fortunate to have such an amazing public safety team and with the university’s overwhelming support, we are able to achieve so much together,” Griffin said. 
 
Griffin began her tenure at Temple in August 2022. Since then, she launched and initiated the park and walks safety initiative; provided university police officers with new equipment, including weight-bearing vests, tasers, patrol vehicles and more; implemented an AI gun detection system—the first of its kind at a university in the region; deployed license plate reading cameras; reorganized the department; secured over $2 million of grants to fund recruitment, retention, training and technology advancements; created the Student Safety Advisory Committee; started a student-police ride along program; and much more.  
 
Griffin’s nomination also comes as safety is improving on and around campus. Burglaries, motor vehicle thefts, thefts from auto and aggravated assaults have a combined 28% decrease in 2024 compared to 2023 within the university’s patrol zone, according to data from Temple Police.   
 
The Temple community has noticed. 
 
“It makes me feel good as a student to know that safety is improving. It shows that the multifaceted approach that Chief Griffin has taken within the Department of Public Safety is working,” said Tanner Wood, director of public safety for Temple Student Government.  
 
Griffin also proudly has the support of university leadership.  
 
“Dr. Griffin has made a meaningful impact since joining the Temple community. She understands the higher education landscape in our unique environment and continues to make strides in safety by implementing evidence-based, progressive policing tactics. At the heart of it all is her deep commitment to mission and cultivating relationships with students, faculty, staff, parents and our community partners,” said Kathryn Peach D’Angelo, Temple University’s associate vice president. 
 
“There is no doubt that safety conditions on campus have improved over the past two years, which is evidence that Dr. Griffin has been a change agent for the better,” added Ken Kaiser, Chief Operating Officer. 
 
In addition to Griffin’s Campus Safety Director of the Year nomination, she was also selected for two notable roles within the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), a global police nonprofit organization that works to advance the policing profession through advocacy, research, outreach and education. Griffin was appointed to the board of directors of the organization. She was also elected as the Educational Chair of the University and College Police Section within the IACP, which puts her in a unique position to be a voice for college campuses across the country.  

“IACP is leading the way in progressing law enforcement throughout the world. Sharing ideas and collaborating with law enforcement agencies from across the globe will make a real difference in all our communities. My goal in these roles is to represent our department, universities and colleges, and the profession of law enforcement in the highest regards. It’s a true honor to be appointed and elected,” Griffin said.  
 
The winner of the Campus Safety Director of the Year award is expected to be announced at the 2025 Campus Safety Conference in July.