The University will begin this school year with a new vice president for public safety and a new police chief following some departmental shuffling over the summer.
In May, Penn Police Chief Maureen Rush officially took over as the new vice president for public safety.
And shortly after she landed her new post, Rush selected Penn Police Lt. Thomas Rambo as her successor. Rambo was one of two University police officers to apply for the post.
After months of searching and two personal interviews with University President Judith Rodin, the administration promoted Rush, who had been serving as vice president on an interim basis.
"We were committed to finding the absolute best candidate for the job... and in the end, the best person won," said Executive Vice President John Fry, who served as head of the selection committee.
"It's a real tribute to the strength of this police department, and to the people of this police department, that the new vice president comes from within the department," Fry added.
Rush, 47, was the only internal candidate to apply for the position. She had been with the department for seven years and its chief since 1996.
The former chief said she was thrilled with the decision.
"I feel wonderful," she said. "I'm very honored by the faith that both Fry and Rodin have placed in me. It's a big job."
Rush's first task was finding her own replacement at the Penn Police Department, a search that took her just over a month to complete.
According to the application criteria set forth by Rush, all candidates had to be current members of the Division of Public Safety, the umbrella organization that contains the police department.
"We have such a strong bench in place that we were able to hire from within," Rush said.
Rambo, who was promoted in July, said he was "ecstatic" with Rush's decision.
"It's an honor that the vice president has selected me, and from the inside of the department," Rambo said. "[Her decision] tells a lot about the quality of the people that work in the division."
Now that a police chief has been named, Rush must look for a director of the division's Fire and Occupational Safety Department, the only area where Rush has not worked.
Over the summer, Harry Cusick left as the director of the department. There has not yet been indication as to who will replace him.
Ted Bateman, an officer with Fire and Occupational Safety, said he and his colleagues are very excited to be working with Rush.
"She will move the whole division forward in a concerted effort, and as an entire entity. She's very well in tune with what our mission in Fire and Occupational Service is," Bateman said.
And the new chief also has the support needed to succeed in his new position.
Det. Supervisor Frank DeMeo described Rambo as "a very dynamic, progressive leader."
Rambo "has the respect of everybody in the department," DeMeo added.
Rush agreed.
"Tom has the full support of the Division of Public Safety, as well as the entire Penn community," Rush said. "He also works closely with West Philadelphia groups, and I'm sure his tenure will be marked with many successes."
DeMeo said he saw benefits in having leaders come from inside the police department.
"It's good for our department," DeMeo said. "Here we have both people who have been here for a while. It was a logical extension."
