West Chester U. Police Chief Reminds New Officers Of Golden Rule

WEST CHESTER, PA — Newly commissioned officers of the West Chester University Police Department were reminded of the importance of trust and of treating people the way they want to be treated.

The West Chester University Police Department welcomed six new police officers in a special ceremony last week, recognizing the new recruits' commitment to strengthening relationships within the educational community while protecting the rights of all people, the University said in a news release.

West Chester University Director and Chief of Police Ray Stevenson formally welcomed and presented the department's newest officers to an audience of family members, friends, and University staff. Commissioned the week of June 7, the six officers recognized were Christopher Traini, Peter Gardner, Lorenzo Giannandrea, Matthew Lanshe, Jeffrey Shumate, and Kevin Skymba.

"We are very excited to have found officers who believe in what we are trying to do in this department — build meaningful relationships with students, faculty, and staff," said Stevenson, a veteran police officer who has been with the University for 31 years and was promoted to the rank of Chief in June of 2020.

"It will continue to be important to gain the trust of students, faculty, and staff through increased community engagement," Stevenson told the officers. "This means treating people the way that you want to be treated. Always remember that we are all in this together."

The occasion was the first time in the department’s history that six new officers were hired all at one time.

"The hiring of these officers has been quite intentional," Stevenson said. "It is very hard to be a police officer right now and we need those who welcome reaching out to the members of our community and working together to open the lines of communication so all of us can remain safe. We want students to know that we are here for them, first and foremost. We support them and will do whatever we can to keep them safe. The focus of our department is community engagement, and we are committed."

The West Chester University Police Department collaborates often with the West Chester Police Department in the Borough of West Chester on initiatives designed to curtail crime. The University's Police Department employs 26 full-time commissioned police officers who have received their primary training under the Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Act (PA Act 120). This is the same training that is required of all municipal police officers throughout Pennsylvania. Police officers on campus participate in annual in-service update police training according to PA Act 180.

Enrolling more than 17,700 students, West Chester University is the largest member of the 14-institution Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Founded in 1871, the University offers more than 200 undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs in more than 50 fields of study.

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