Kuprevich's leadership troubles police officers

and Gregory Montanaro University Police officers and Fraternal Order of Police officials voiced concerns this week about the management style of University Police, and specifically Commissioner John Kuprevich. "He does a whole lot of talking and not a lot of doing," University Police officer and FOP Chief Shop Steward Peggy O'Malley said. "He's made a lot of pie-crust promises, and as we all know, pie-crusts can be easily broken. His intentions are good, but he didn't follow through." University Police officer and FOP President Dave Ball agreed with O'Malley. "He said he was going to do certain things and take certain initiatives, and none of them have come about," Ball said. But Interim Executive Vice President Jack Freeman, who supervises University Police and Kuprevich, said he supports the Commissioner. "I continue to have confidence in Kuprevich's leadership," he said. He added that he had "never heard a word from the FOP." "You need to realize you are dealing with union leadership," Freeman said. Numerous officers cited failed plans for a new police station, the poor condition of the cars and slow changes in technology, such as the failure to purchase radios that scan the Philadelphia Police frequency. Although a few of the officers have theses radios, some are still carrying older models. A few officers also complained that not all of the service revolvers are functional and that winter uniforms have not yet arrived. Ball said he did not know whether Kuprevich or the administration was to blame for not following through with various development plans, such as the new police headquarters. "I think it's a political job, and I don't think he's done well politically," Ball said. Kuprevich would not comment on any remarks made by FOP officials because he said the issues raised should be kept internal to the organization. "I think it's highly inappropriate to put those kind of comments out in the press, and I see no value to respond to those comments," he said. "If the officers feel that they should go to you with concerns that's up to them, but I am not going to respond to that. It's highly inappropriate." O'Malley said she does not think the officers are unhappy with every aspect of the University Police management, though. "Chief [George] Clisby is fair and reasonable for the most part," she said. "We've been able to settle some grievances." She said that her only concern with Clisby, who directs patrol and supervises police operations, is that he does not interact with the officers enough. "I think he needs to get more involved with the patrol officers," she said. "We need to see his human side, right now, he's the name on the memo or directive. He never gets out there and addresses roll call or tells people they've done a good job." O'Malley also said Victim Support and Special Services Director Maureen Rush "has been an excellent addition to the management staff." "She's very knowledgeable about police work," she said. "And she appreciates the job the police officers are doing here. Her presence has definitely boosted morale." O'Malley said officers respect Rush because "she came in, she said what changes she wanted to make and she made them." Clisby and Rush would not comment for this article.

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