New Police Chief starts at Stevens

The Stevens Police welcomed their new Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety, Timothy Griffin, to his first day on the job on March 5. Chief Griffin joins the Stevens community after 25 years of police service. Starting in 1982 as a detective for the Hudson County Prosecutors Office, he has been promoted through the ranks to Captain of Investigations. In that time, he commanded the narcotics, gun trafficking, and street crimes units. From there he went on to serve as commander of a county wide internal affairs unit, special investigation unit and the Hudson County Counter-Terrorism and Rapid Deployment Force of which he still is a member. For the past two years Police Chief Griffin has served as Police Director of West New York Police Department.
Along with his experience, he brings with him what he's learned at the institutions and academies that he has attended. He attended the Jersey City State College and is accredited through the University of Virginia for undergraduate work in the field of Criminal Justice. Having a daughter in her second year of college, he can sympathize with the stresses of college life. He has also been able to attend many job related academies as both a student and serve them later as an instructor. As a graduate of the FBI Academy and having attended the Secret Service academy on dignitary protection and event security planning, he has experiences and insight to share with the officers of Stevens Police Department.
When discussing his plans here at the Institute, Chief Griffin is quick to mention how he'd like to try to work with the administration to forge ties between the police and students. "Having already met with police officers and students, I was extremely pleased to hear that both desire to build a closer bond and I will work to find ways to assist in fostering such a relationship," Griffin said. He continues on to explain how he'd like to use his experience to develop campus plans for emergency preparedness. Part of those plans would include the utilization of both students and faculty, particularly those with special skills or certifications in areas such as emergency medical services. Chief Griffin mentioned that he is discussing with administration heads the feasibility of initiating a CERT Program which would be of great assistance during times of emergency or heightened alert. "These types of programs would ensure that the Stevens community can respond to an emergency that affects this area and that we would have qualified individuals to help self-sustain the campus for an unspecified time without having to depend upon outside first responders who may be inundated with other calls for assistance."
On discussing what he sees his job entailing, Chief Griffin notes, "Our number one job [is to] provide quick and efficient services to students and faculty and to provide a safe and healthy environment. This would ensure that our students can carry out their studies and enjoy their college experience, as they should," Griffin said. Further goals include using his close ties with State and Federal entities to secure grant funding, if applicable, to improve campus readiness.
While discussing student concerns it was made clear that Chief Griffin is interested in talking to students to see what their views and concerns are. He went on to say, "[I] don't want to make changes for the sake of changes. My intent is to identify the real safety issues that are of concern and to put measures into place that would provide a safer environment." When asked about some issues in particular, including the blue lights, he replied, "issue's such as blue lights need to be addressed and discussions are underway to address this particular problem.