Scranton Police Chief leaving the squad room for the classroom www.privateofficer.com
SCRANTON PA July 8 2012 – After what he called a “successful adventure in law enforcement,” Scranton Police Chief Dan Duffy confirmed Friday he’s leaving the squad room for the classroom.
Twenty-two months after being sworn into office as the city’s top cop, Duffy will become the director of the Lackawanna College Police Academy. His final day with the city is July 20, and his work with the college begins July 23.
Duffy, 37, worked during his time as chief to build a public-private partnership between the department and residents dubbed the “Be Part of the Solution” campaign.
The chief previously worked as a member of the college’s security staff and as an instructor at the academy. His brother-in-law, Scranton Detective James Pappas, once told him, “I think you found your second calling” in the classroom, Duffy recalled Friday.
It was Pappas who informed him of the recent departure of academy Director Will Oliphant.
“When this position opened – which was just last week – I looked at it as an opportunity,” Duffy said. “My goal is to make a significant impact on law enforcement.
“The future leaders in law enforcement will walk through those doors, and that’s a huge responsibility.”
It’s one that college officials feel he’s well-equipped to handle.
“Dan focused hard on leadership and that connection with the public … There’s no better place to begin fostering those ideas than in the police academy,” said Lackawanna College President Mark Volk.
“It’s not a loss for the city, it’s a gain. He’s got the chance to train the next generation of police officers and instill that same level of leadership and understanding of community commitment that he instilled in the police force here in Scranton.”
Duffy admitted that the timing of his departure is “unfortunate” as the city struggles to pay its bills.
“Absolutely not. I say it with all sincerity that this has nothing to do with the city’s financial struggle,” Duffy clarified when asked why he was leaving. “If I were to do that, that’s abandoning my post.”
Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty sent a letter to union members on June 27 stating that they would be paid the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour beginning July 6 in lieu of the city’s financial struggles.
Doherty called Duffy’s departure “bittersweet” but added that it was a “recognition of the type of people we have working in our administration.”
Police Capt. Carl Graziano will assume the role of chief for the foreseeable future.
“He’s outstanding, and he has the respect of all of the outside agencies,” the mayor said of the 20-year veteran. “Because of the financial conditions, it’s also an opportunity for us to do more with less.”
Source:timesleader.com
