While attending college is generally filled with happiness and excitement, many students are also mindful of making sure that they feel secure during their time on campus. Campus security programs and resources may differ from school to school, but most institutions have campus police forces to ensure that students, faculty, and staff have a safe place to live, learn, and work. For some students, going to college may be their first time away from their support system, so ensuring that our 64 campuses are safe and have dedicated and skilled campus police forces is of utmost importance.
From walking students back to their residence halls at night to responding to threats of violence and other on-campus issues, University Police work tirelessly to ensure that students can focus on their schoolwork and pursue their academic passions without feeling in harm’s way. They respond quickly to each situation, using techniques that will help de-escalate the situation, regardless of the incident at hand. University Police also spend countless hours receiving proper training and engage in professional development exercises to ensure that they are well versed in current safety measures and practices.
To honor the hard work of our University Police Department, University Police hosts the SUNY Chiefs Association Awards every year. This year, the award recipients were honored at a ceremony on Tuesday, November 13 for their acts of bravery and time spent protecting our students and campuses. Each individual went above and beyond to maintain a safe environment on their respective campus, putting their training, experience, and skills to good use in the face of emergencies.
Please see below for the full list of awards and awardees.
Lifesaving Award:
The Lifesaving Award is presented to any member of the department whose actions directly contribute to saving or significantly prolonging human life.
Binghamton: Officers Christopher Meyn, Matthew Davy, and SSA Brian Bidwell
Buffalo State: Officers William Ginnick, Robert Fletcher, Kenneth Herberger, Anthony Olszewski, and C.S. Jesse Gang
UB: Lt. David Urbanek
Cortland: Investigator Amanda Wasson and Officer Frank Dalton
ESF: Officers Gregory Bliss and Richard White
Farmingdale: Lt. Andrew Kalos and Officers Ronald Quaranta, Andrew Sousa, and Joseph Tringali
Geneseo: Officer David Stall
New Paltz: Lt. Ryan Williams and Officer William Shaw
Old Westbury: Invs. Matthew Bishop and Ryon Burnett, Officer Andrew Perlin, and C.S. Charles Gyss
Stony Brook: Officers Brian Feiler, Timothy Donoghue, Curtis Hoover, and Brian Maritato
Professional Service Award:
The Professional Service Award is presented to members for those acts that greatly enhance the operation of the respective University Police Department.
Binghamton: Asst. Chief Matthew Rossie, Deputy Chief Madeline Bay, Lts. Brian VanDervort, Marc Leniek, John Pelletier, Steven Faulkner, Invs. Patrick Reilly (now DC), Dennis Bush and Robert Meddleton, Sgt. Quanison Wright, Officers Orlando Torres (now Lt.), Anjelica Stanko, Ryan Gennaralli, Christopher Payne, Steven Patinka, Daniel Warner, Richard White, Charles Harford, James Williams, Joseph Gallagher, Allen Saxby, and Nicholas Ross, and C.S. Adam Kozina (now P.O.), Andrew Underwood, Ryan McMurray, Adam Gilbert, and Todd Katen
Brockport: Lt. John Armitage
Buffalo State: Lts. Daniel Harris and Willard Moreland, Invs. Steven Cahoon and Renee Polniak and Officers James Urbanski and Brian Bidell
UB: Invs. Wayne Colton and Timothy Thompson and S.S. Catherine Guzman
Farmingdale: Lt. Frank Capezza, Inv. Keri Hauff and Officers Edward Witkowski, Andrew Sousa, and Julie Donley
Geneseo: Officer Travis Andrews
New Paltz: Inv. Junta Carson
Plattsburgh: Inv. Seth Silver
System Administration: Chief Donald Bryda, Agency Program Aide Amanda Harbinger
Dr. McBride Criminal Justice Student Achievement:
Purchase: James Ricca
Harris Family Student Personal Safety Achievement:
Buffalo State: Perry Angoy
