For the first time in decades, those who are pursuing careers as new Temple police officers are now training at the Temple University Police Academy, marking an exciting shift that will allow Temple police cadets to complete graduation more quickly at one of the first police academies in the commonwealth, said Jennifer Griffin, Temple’s police chief and vice president for public safety.

“There is a rich history to the Temple University Police Academy, and we are so proud to now have our cadets a part of it,” Griffin said.

Located on Temple’s Ambler Campus, the unit was formed with the task of creating a training program for police officers in 1968—several years before state law required training for police officers. ACT 120, as it’s known, passed in 1974, and shortly after, Temple became certified by the commonwealth as an academy to administer police training. Since then, the TU Police Academy has provided basic training to municipal, transit, housing, park, capitol and campus police officers.

“By having Temple police cadets attend the TU Police Academy, we’re also supporting another arm of the university,” Griffin said. “Plus, the cadets become more familiar with us faster and vice versa.” 

Previously, Temple police cadets were trained at the Philadelphia Police Academy, which was a nine-month course. However, having them train at the TU Police Academy allows for them to complete graduation in just six months, although those who plan to work for the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) are required to stay to get PPD specific training

At the TU Police Academy, cadets are also building stronger relationships with the university, said Chris Willard, director of tactical and professional development for Temple University’s Department of Public Safety (TUDPS).

Willard recently started teaching physical training at the TU Police Academy, however, she is a familiar face at the academy: She served as the director of the TU Police Academy for 15 years. Before that, she taught physical training at the academy. 

“I always enjoyed having an impact on new police officers,” she said. “It’s always a joy to see them grow from new cadets on day one to a law enforcement professional upon graduation.”

Willard said the university is able to offer more support to the cadets as they train at the TU Police Academy. 

“We are eager to have our cadets become familiar with the university, so the sooner that we could start meeting them and working with them, the better,” Willard said. “We want them to feel like they’re a part of our department from the moment they start.”

Currently, the TU Police Academy has four cadets who were hired by TUDPS, which means they are earning a salary while in the academy. However, the current the TU Police Academy class also has several cadets who are considering one or more police departments to join. Willard sees that as a recruiting opportunity.

“We just interviewed an individual earlier this month who is currently enrolled in the TU Police Academy. So there are multiple benefits to having Temple police cadets train at Temple. Plus, we’re supporting another arm of the university,” Willard said. 

Learn more about becoming a new police officer and serving Temple here.