Meet Our Staff
The Kutztown University Public Safety Department employs 16 full-time, commissioned police officers who have received their primary training under the Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Act (PA Act 120). This is the same required training that all municipal police officers throughout Pennsylvania receive. Police Officers on campus participate in annual in-service police training pursuant to PA Act 180.
KU Police Officers:
- Receive their police authority from the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Act 120 certification from the Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission (MPOETC).
- All KUPD Officers are sworn to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
- Have full power of arrest for any violation of law on campus property and on select highways that traverse or abut campus property pursuant to Act 41 of 2015
- Enforce all State and Local laws
- Enforce the rules and regulations of Kutztown University
- Investigate all reports of criminal activity on campus
- Patrol campus with vehicles, bicycles, and on foot
- Investigate all panic, fire, burglar, and mechanical alarms
- Coordinate with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners
- Provide and maintain a safe and orderly learning environment for the Kutztown University campus community
- Participate in multiple crime prevention services and programming for all our campus community
COMMAND STAFF:
Chief of Police David Drezek #1
- Graduate of Northwestern University Police Staff & Command #471
- FBI LEEDA Trilogy Recipient
- Penn State POLEX Executive Development Program
- B.S. Roger Williams University
- Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy
- Retired North Providence Police Department (RI)
- With the department since June 2018
Deputy Chief of Police/Asst. Director
Vacant
Lieutenant Justin Soumas #3
- Investigations & Prosecution Supervisor
- 15th PSP Leadership Academy
- Field Training Officer
- Alarm Systems Coordinator
- Reading Police Academy
- With the department since September 2003
FIRST PLATOON - 7AM-3PM
Police Supervisor (1st shift): Sgt. Barry Althouse #4
- Police Firearms Instructor
- Reading Police Academy
- With the department since October 2006
Police Specialist: Det. Cpl. Amanda George #8
- Criminal Investigator
- Field Training Coordinator
- R.A.D. Lead Instructor & Coordinator
- Sexual Assault Victim Advocate
- B.S. Shippensburg University
- Allentown Police Academy
- With the department since August 2004
Police Officer: Luis Ortiz #16
- Reading Police Academy
- With department since January 2024
Police Officer
Vacant
SECOND PLATOON - 3PM - 11PM
Police Supervisor (2nd shift): Sgt. Tiffany Miller #6
- MCT Coordinator
- Sexual Assault Victim Advocate
- B.S. Kutztown University
- Allentown Police Academy
- With the department since January 2009
Police Specialist: Cpl. Melanie Howe #9
- First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor
- Field Training Officer
- Police Firearms Instructor
- Sexual Assault Victim Advocate
- IPMBA Bike Certification
- R.A.D. Instructor
- M.S. University of the Cumberlands
- B.A. Alvernia University
- Allentown Police Academy
- With the department since September 2013
Police Officer: Dean Lukens #17
- Allentown Police Academy
- With the department since August 2024
Police Officer
Vacant
THIRD PLATOON - 11PM - 7AM
Police Supervisor (3rd shift): Sgt. Craig Beidler #5
- Reading Police Academy
- Retired Fleetwood Borough Police Department
- With the department since July 2013
Police Specialist: Cpl. Paul Long #7
- Vehicle Maintenance Coordinator
- Evidence Room Technician
- Field Training Officer
- IPMBA Bike Certification
- Reading Police Academy
- With the department since August 2004
Police Officer: Gabriel Otero #18
- New York City Police Academy
- Retired New York City Police Department
- With the department since September 2024
POLICE TRAINEE:
Academy Cadet: Tyler Todora Cope
- Allentown Police Academy
- With department since July 2024
Academy Cadet: Maroun Tabarani
- Reading Police Academy
- With department since July 2024
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF:
Administrative Staff: Danielle Santos
- Day Shift Office Staff
- Academic year 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Summer 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- With the University since 2008
- With the department since January 2022