Yet another UPPD official resigns post

Penn Police Deputy Chief of Investigations Thomas King yesterday announced his intention to leave the department, becoming the third top Public Safety official to depart since the beginning of the semester. King, 44, will leave at the end of this month to become the director of safety and security at Haverford College in Haverford, Pa., which is the top position in Haverford's police force. "What I enjoy doing best is interacting with students and staff and the faculty, and I think I'll have more of an opportunity to do that at a smaller school," King said. King came to the force in 1997, after serving with the Philadelphia Police for 20 years -- 10 of which as a detective. At Penn he directed criminal investigations and victim services, and oversaw crime prevention presentations, internal investigations and background checks. Security Services Director Stratis Skoufalos and Vice President for Public Safety Thomas Seamon also left the Division of Public Safety this semester. Skoufalos left the division in September when his department was dissolved. He had led the Security Services Department for almost three years. Seamon, who was Public Safety's top official, departed last month after five years at the helm of the division to become CEO of TrainLogic, Inc., a security training and consulting firm. King said he was excited about his new position at Haverford but reluctant to leave Penn. "This place is so invigorating," King said. "I love the pace... but I'm looking forward to the opportunity to have a little hands-on experience." Det. Supervisor William Danks will serve as acting deputy chief until a search committee selects King's permanent replacement. "I think it's a nice honor they've selected me for this position," Danks said. "I'm apprehensive because there's a lot to learn and a lot of things to do, but I think it'll work out." King said he does not believe his departure, compounded with the departures of Skoufalos and Seamon, will affect the stability of the department. "I think one of the things that came from the top -- it was always [Executive Vice President] John Fry's mantra and Tom Seamon's and [Police Chief] Maureen Rush's -- is that there's a sort of succession planning," King said. "People are familiar with the duties and responsibilities of others' jobs." And Police Chief Maureen Rush -- who is now serving as the acting head of Public Safety -- said that due to such cross-training, Danks is highly qualified for the interim position. "The continuity is there," Rush said. "It's a not a major issue to rush [the search process].... We can take our time. We have good people in place." Special Services Director Pat Brennan, who worked under King as a detective supervisor for three years, said she is sorry to see King go but confident that Danks will be effective as interim deputy chief. "It's very sad for me and it's very sad for the Penn community," Brennan said. "It's very fortunate for the Haverford community."