Temple University's public safety vice president, Jennifer Griffin, is set to depart in June after a challenging tenure marked by significant changes in policing. Griffin's leadership has been pivotal in addressing the university's public safety concerns, particularly in the wake of the tragic shooting death of Samuel Collington and the subsequent challenges faced by the North Philadelphia campus. During her time in office, Griffin implemented all 68 recommendations from a safety audit conducted by former Philadelphia Police Chief Charles Ramsey's firm, leading to a reported decrease in violent crimes in the patrol zone.
However, the university continues to grapple with police officer staffing issues, a problem shared by many departments nationwide. Griffin faced criticism from the police officer union for not doing enough to attract and retain officers, with union leaders calling for her resignation in 2023. Temple President John Fry, who prioritized campus safety upon taking office in November 2024, has acknowledged the challenges in officer recruitment and retention, pledging to boost police patrol officers by 58% over five years.
Despite these efforts, Temple has been struggling to attract more officers, with a significant number of officers leaving the department since 2022. Griffin has attributed this to the challenging market for law enforcement careers, noting that there are not many people willing to enter this profession. To address this, the university has implemented various strategies, including increasing salaries and benefits, offering signing and retention bonuses, and hiring an associate director to focus on hiring, recruitment, retention, and training.
In addition to these challenges, Temple has been working to enhance safety measures, such as increasing foot patrols, installing more security cameras, and improving technology in the communications center. The university has also implemented recommendations from a university violence reduction task force and improved relationships with other law enforcement agencies. Griffin's efforts have been recognized, including her appointment as national campus safety director of the year in 2025 by Campus Safety Magazine.
Despite the progress made, Temple continues to face community safety issues, such as the recent assault of a student in Morgan Hall residence hall by a group of juveniles. Griffin's decision to leave the position, according to Fry, was a mutual agreement to allow her to transition to new opportunities, given the demanding nature of the job. Fry praised Griffin's dedication and accomplishments, crediting her with the successful implementation of the Ramsey report recommendations.
As Griffin prepares for her next chapter, she expresses gratitude for the support of her team and looks forward to exploring new opportunities in her role on national law enforcement and university boards. Her departure marks a significant transition for Temple University's public safety, with the university now embarking on a national search for her replacement.
