Police commissioner search down to one preferred candidate

After months of carefully reviewing candidates to replace John Kuprevich as University Police Commissioner, Executive Vice President John Fry said earlier this week that he has made his recommendation to University President Judith Rodin and Provost Stanley Chodorow. While Fry would not reveal what his recommendation was, a source close to public safety has disclosed that the top two candidates for the position were Rutgers University-Camden Chief of Police Gene Dooley and Philadelphia Police Deputy Commissioner Thomas Seamon. Fry declined comment on the issue. Dooley could neither confirm nor deny his candidacy but referred all calls to the Executive Vice President's Office. And Seamon did not return phone calls all week. Last month Fry reported that he had brought the search down to two candidates and that his next step was to bring the group to "select groups of students and faculty on campus to see what they think." These groups had the opportunity to meet with and interview Dooley and Seamon over the past few weeks. Since that time, several new candidates entered the picture, Fry said, adding that although he felt it would be irresponsible not to consider these new applicants, he would not let their emergence slow down the progress of his search. Fry said he made his consultative group to Rodin and Chodorow last Thursday, after collecting input from his committee. They will be meeting with the candidate today, and will give him their feedback by Monday, he added. And he hopes to be able to make a final announcement next week. But he said he will take their opinions very seriously, adding that if they are not satisfied with his choice he will come up with another candidate for them. As Deputy Commissioner, Seamon is second in command of the Philadelphia Police Department. He fills in as department head in the Commissioner's absence. And Seamon served as interim police commissioner in 1992 when Willy Williams, the Philadelphia police commissioner at the time, went to Los Angeles in May 1992 to become the commissioner there. Seamon ran for the commissioner position in 1992, but lost to current Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Neal. Some of Seamon's major duties include implementing strategies and devising policies for the department, in addition to working on the budget. Rutgers Police Captain Douglas Thompson said Dooley has accomplished a lot since his arrival to their Public Safety Department in 1992. He said Dooley has been instrumental in instituting a comprehensive crime prevention program at Rutgers, which includes programs pertaining to personal security, student orientation and crime prevention, as well as a Rape Aggression Defense program. "He has also been effective in having a harmonious liaison between local police agencies throughout South Jersey," Thompson added. He said the Rutgers security program is smaller, adding that Dooley has less responsibility and involvement than he would at the University. "I assume the job [at Penn] is much more involved and would pose more challenge than a particular job here," Thompson said. When Kuprevich announced his resignation in April, he expected to be done with his responsibilities by the end of July. But since the search for a new commissioner has been taking longer than originally projected, Kuprevich is going to remain at the University for another six weeks, until the replacement is selected, Fry said last month. The comprehensive national search for Kuprevich's replacement began promptly after he announced his resignation. Since then, Fry has narrowed the field of candidates from more than 70 applicants to the few that currently remain.

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