Syracuse Sun

Nine new recruits have been sworn into the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety (DPS) Campus Peace Officer Academy, as reported on March 21, 2024. The ceremony, officiated by Syracuse Police First Deputy Chief Richard Shoff, marked the beginning of their training to become campus peace officers.

The recruits sworn into this academy class include Thomas Bingham, Kit Diana, Donovan Green, Keyatta Green, Teng Kiir, Sean McCaffery, Delana Thomas, Barrington Wallace, and Liam Welling. Additionally, Jay Kreis will be joining the academy and will later head to Onondaga Community College upon completion.

Sgt. Adam Wheeler, the academy director, expressed enthusiasm about the new recruits, stating, "We are excited to welcome this group of recruits and work with them over the next several months." This marks the eighth time that the Department of Public Safety has conducted its own peace officer academy.

Craig Stone, associate vice president and chief of the Department of Public Safety, addressed the friends and families of the recruits, stating, "We are excited to welcome new members to our team and all of them have prior customer service experience. They will assist us in keeping the campus community safe and increasing community engagement with our students as we strive to obtain advanced CALEA accreditation."

The Department of Public Safety at Syracuse University plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of the campus community through round-the-clock protection, patrol, and crime prevention efforts. By collaborating with the Syracuse Police Department, the academy aims to equip these campus peace officers with the necessary skills and authority to enforce New York State law and local ordinances upon completion of their training.

Throughout the academy, the recruits will undergo various tests, including technical, physical, classroom, and field-based assessments. Upon successful completion, they will proceed to field training with their respective field training officers for an additional 12 to 14 weeks.

The efforts of the Department of Public Safety, in conjunction with the Syracuse Police Department, highlight the commitment to ensuring a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, and staff within the Syracuse University campus community.