Friday, September 5th, 2008

Michael Sinclair is the first Director of Police Operations at Drexel

A veteran Philadelphia Police commander and former Nazareth Borough   Police Chief has been hired as the first ever Director of Police Operations at Drexel University, according to a Sept 4 press release.

The new director, Michael Sinclair, will help to build Drexel’s campus police  department and oversee its daily operations said Domenic Ceccanecchio, senior associate vice president for Public Safety.

Although Sinclair’s most recent post was outside the City, he spent 29 years in the Philadelphia Police leading units ranging from Special Victims to Narcotics.  Sinclair was commander of the 18th District which includes parts of Drexel and the 22nd District which includes Temple University.

Sinclair also commanded the Southwest Detective Division which handles investigations for areas including Drexel and the University of Pennsylvania.

“We were looking for someone who had command level experience, particularly within an urban setting,” said a statement from James Tucker, senior vice president for Student Life and Administrative Services.

Sinclair examines a crime scene alongside UPenn VP for Public Safety Maureen Rush

In a statement Sinclair said he would be focusing on hiring police officers and ensuring that high training standards are maintained.

Drexel has announced plans to have a 28 to 30 member sworn police department over the next two years.  The campus police department was recently authorized by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, according to the press release.

The Sept 18 issue of The Triangle will have more info about Sinclair and the campus police.

Top photo source: Drexel Student Life and Administrative Services
Bottom photo source: Daily Pennsylvanian