Amid the wailing of bagpipes and marching of the Penn Police color guard, Mark Dorsey was officially sworn in last night as the new University chief of police.
In a ceremony attended by Division of Public Safety colleagues as well as University President Amy Gutmann, Dorsey was welcomed to the job he has been performing since Nov. 1.
"We can't have the freedom to study and do research without the safety you provide us," Gutmann said.
Gutmann joked about hiring the chief away from nearby La Salle University.
"I pray that the good Christian Brothers across town will forgive us," she said, adding that it is her belief that under Dorsey's leadership, "We will become the model for effective community policing at urban campuses."
Vice President for Public Safety Maureen Rush spoke about her commitment to the "broken windows" theory of crime enforcement, which Dorsey shares. This theory of community policing, first proposed in 1982 by James Wilson and George Kelling, states that larger crimes can be deterred by enforcing punishment for small violations and creating a visible police presence.
"I believe in working together with all the elements of the community," said Dorsey, who spoke briefly, echoing Rush by emphasizing the importance of building trust within the university and local community.
Dorsey also spoke about bringing a "family-oriented" approach to law enforcement.
Five officers were sworn into new, higher positions last night.
Following these proceedings, a number of commendations were issued for outstanding service by Public Safety officials.
Gutmann noted that crime on campus has decreased by 19 percent this year, which was reflected in the long list of Public Safety members who received special commendations.
Allied Security Officer Linda Donaldson, the regular Spectaguard at Hill College House, also received commendation for her role in helping to catch a thief who has been charged with robbing a number of rooms in the dorm earlier this school year.
Additionally, six new officers officially joined the Penn Police.
