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Reid named director of public safety

Glen Reid

Glen Reid has been appointed the new Clarion University Director of Public Safety. She is replacing David Tedjeske, who left for a position at Villanova University.

Reid received her B.S. degree from Point Park University, with a major in public administration and a minor in political science. She obtained her M.S. degree in leadership and business ethics from Duquesne University.

Most recently, Reid served as Chief of Police for Penn State Greater Allegheny, formerly Penn State McKeesport, for seven years. There she organized the transition of their police officers and also served as an adjunct faculty member, teaching courses in criminal justice and political science.

Reid currently serves as an instructor at the Police Academy of Allegheny County. For the past 20 years, she has taught classes such as alcohol awareness, domestic violence and officer safety. Reid has also provided patrol and security in Pittsburgh locations and as senior patrol officer at the University of Rochester.

Reid’s starting day at Clarion included an important announcement former President Bill Clinton had scheduled a visit to campus. She met what could have been an immediate pressure situation with confidence.

“Prior to being hired, I had lunch with the department and I knew the officers were very knowledgeable and well trained, and that we could pull it off,” said Reid. The skills and expertise of the Public Safety officers are the cream of the crop.”

According to Reid, the police uniforms and the facility will change in upcoming months, and more training will be observable, such as drills taking place around campus and outside agencies coming in to provide training. Other changes include basic day-to-day operations and a more “user-friendly” approach. Reid will also be responsible for putting together a new policy manual.

Reid hopes to add some part-time police officers and several investigators to the department and implementation an internship program. Currently, the Public Safety Department includes nine full-time officers, one security officer and one safety officer. The department offers 24/7 coverage of campus. Their services include, escorting, crime prevention, routine patrols and public safety. They have the same training and authority as police officers serving on any police force.

“Over the next three years, we are aspiring to get certified,” said Reid. “This will take a lot of work and some sacrifices, but if we do, we will be the second university in the state with that accreditation.”

Reid spent eight years in the Army as a military police officer after high school.

“I had a great recruiter,” said Reid. “He suggested going through tapes to see what type of work I’d like to pursue.” The ironed suit in a sea of dirt and face paint intrigued Reid to pursue the route of a military police officer.

“I grew up in the south side of Chicago, which wasn’t a nice place to be,” said Reid. “My father insisted that my 10 siblings and I get a good education, get out of the projects and aspire higher. With assistance from a Catholic school and Upward Bound, I was able to get a good education.”

Now Reid is bringing her training and experience to Clarion University.

“This is a safe campus,” she evaluated. “I want us to be proactive rather than reactive to keep it that way.”

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