Temple University’s Department of Public Safety (TUDPS) is the best in the nation. That’s according to President Richard Englert, who proudly made that assertion as he stood confidently behind a podium at the department’s first annual recognition ceremony, held earlier this month to highlight new and newly promoted employees to the department.

“Temple’s police officers, security officers and dispatchers are the reason that we are able to safely work, learn and live in this vibrant community,” Englert said. “To all of our public safety officers and staff members, please know that I am sincerely so proud of the work you do.”

President Englert described the military backgrounds of new Temple Police Officer Jeremy Mask and newly promoted Lieutenant Karamri Boone. He also pointed out that new Temple Police Officer Patrick Longo’s father is an Owl himself—and graduated from the university in 1991.

There was a special shoutout for Deanna Venini, a new dispatcher who is familiar with TUDPS—she previously worked as a Temple security officer for more than a year. She is also a Temple student, majoring in criminal justice, and said her classes are challenging but engaging. She aspires to one day become a police officer, just like her father, who has been protecting and serving the Temple community for nearly 17 years. 

“There is no doubt that Deanna will one day make a great police officer, just like her father,” Englert said.

Chief of Police and Vice President for Public Safety Jennifer Griffin agreed.

“It's heartwarming to see Officer Venini and his daughter Deanna together. The Temple University Department of Public Safety is a family, and we also have several colleagues who are working with their true family members,” Griffin said. “We are excited to see Deanna continue to grow within our department and in her academic studies.”

Deanna has always looked up to her father, she said. 

“He is always willing to help somebody in need and he has a deep love for the job. He’s dedicated to the job, very brave, strong and I aspire to do what he does,” she said.

Police Officer Venini started in his role in 2008, when Barack Obama won the presidential election and the Phillies won the World Series.

“The energy on campus was electric, it was an exciting time,” he said. “Then the Eagles went to the playoffs. So much was happening, and the university is a big part of the city, so it was great to be a part of that.”

Officer Venini has had many different responsibilities over the years. On top of his regular patrols, he has traveled with the football team as part of their security detail. He has also helped train new Temple police officers.

“This job allowed me to work with a lot of good police officers over the years, and they have all become friends,” he said. 

Venini is a father of five and utilizes Temple’s tuition remission, which covers the cost of courses taken at the university for the children of regular full-time employees. 

“The tuition remission is a huge benefit, and we are fortunate the university offers this,” Venini said. 

He is humbled that his daughter Deanna is eager to follow in his footsteps and go into law enforcement.

“Criminal justice is something I’ve always had an interest for, especially helping people and making people feel more comfortable in the community they live in,” she said. 

But most importantly, she stressed that her admiration for her father—who she watched put on the Temple police uniform for most of her life—inspires her daily.

“My dad has always been my hero,” she said.

Officer Venini hopes to one day work alongside his daughter.

“It means a lot, it means everything that she wants to go into this profession because of what she sees in me,” he said. “I’m proud of her for what she has accomplished and what she will accomplish.”

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