Inside the Investigations Unit of Temple University’s Department of Public Safety (TUDPS), Captain Tom Macartney reviewed security video to help a student locate her missing scooter.

“It’s important that we’re not only solving these incidents but reminding the Temple community about safety tips,” Macartney said. “Students, faculty and staff should know that we are here for them. For instance, TUDPS provides free U-locks for bikes and scooters if they register them with TUDPS.”

Macartney is focusing on getting the word out about more safety reminders, especially now that the Investigations Unit is expanding. It recently hired two new detectives, bringing the total number of full-time detectives to eight - and that’s on top of Capt. Macartney’s new role in overseeing the unit. Plus, the unit is in the process of hiring a sergeant of investigations. 

“The purpose of having police detectives work right here on campus is to make the Temple community a safer place to learn, live and work,” Macartney said. “While Temple police officers respond to incidents and take reports, our detectives are tasked with investigating those incidents and working to close cases. They also perform background investigations to assist in hiring and staff events, demonstrations and dignitary protection.”

Macartney added that Temple police detectives are all sworn law enforcement officers, and each of them brings many years of experience to their role. In 2023 alone, the Investigations Unit worked on 2,162 cases and brought many of those cases to closure.

“It’s rewarding knowing that we’re making a difference,” Macartney said. 

One of the newly hired police detectives is Kevin Badie, who previously served as a police officer with the Penn State University Police Department. 

“I have a passion for helping others,” Baddie said. 

Baddie is also a military police sergeant in the Army Reserves, and has served for 14 years in assignments across the country, including Fort Knox, Fort Dix and other locations. His awards include the Army Achievement Medal and Certificate of Achievement.

“My goal here at Temple is to help students, faculty and staff learn about safety tips because so many of the cases we work on are preventable,” he said. 

Another recent change within TUDPS was the shifting of Captain Ed Woltemate’s role; he now oversees the newly created Professional Standards and Advocacy Unit. 

“In this advocacy role, if I see that a student or other community member is in distress, I can get them the resources they need,” Woltemate said. “I'm also responsible for drafting and editing policies and procedures, and investigating citizen and administrative complaints.” 

Woltemate also said that some cases that turn out to not involve criminal behavior may still involve harmful behavior. If students are involved, the Investigations Unit will refer those cases to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards.

Chief of Police and Vice President for Public Safety Jennifer Griffin said, “expanding the Investigations Unit and creating a Professional Standards and Advocacy Unit will further professionalize the department to ensure we are providing the highest level of service to the university and community.”

“Police detectives are not as visible as our uniformed police officers, as a lot of their work is done behind the scenes,” she said. “But know that our dedicated detectives work around the clock to address any issues that happen within the patrol zone in partnership with our patrol officers and law enforcement partners.” 

Macartney added that with his new role, the relationship between TUDPS and the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) will continue to be enhanced, with the shared goal to collaborate and bring cases to a successful resolution.

“I worked with PPD for 33 years,” Macartney said. “I started as a patrol officer, then served time as a detective and recently retired from PPD as a lieutenant of the Evidence Custodian Unit before joining Temple last year. So we will continue working closely with Philadelphia Police, building upon that relationship to improve safety for students, faculty, staff and community members.”