New Police Chief

  The Public Safety and Campus Police departments are being rebranded. Piedmont Virginia Community College has hired a new police chief, Shawn Harrison.

Harrison is bright and friendly. She likes Columbian roast coffee, occasionally with hazelnut cream. These small details are what help make up the new police chief’s warming personality. With a cup of coffee, we discussed the outline of the campus police department’s rebranding.

Harrison is extremely qualified. She holds both  bachelors and a masters degrees and is professionally certified in Maryland. She is on her way to becoming Virginia certified. She said that the new campus police perspective is about giving a service that is open to the community and a safe learning environment.

Harrison also says that changes such as school identification badges, changing the security personnel uniforms, and more visibility of officers, will make the community safer; having a pro-active approach to campus security will also be a priority.

The uniform’s purpose is to immediately identify public safety officers. Joseph remarked that he sees his work as a public service to PVCC. “Any public service ought to be community organized oriented to safe learning environment,” said Joseph.

Creating a “safe learning environment” is a key feature of the rebranding. Harrison recommends all students get their school identification made and wear it around campus. She hopes these new procedures and activities will help bring respect for all members of the campus community with compassionate leadership, and promote open communication between students and educators.