PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Temple University’s vice president for public safety is stepping down at the end of the month.
Jennifer Griffin has held the position for the last four years. She joined the department in the months following the November 2021 shooting death of student Samuel Collington, and led campus safety during the February 2023 shooting death of Temple Police Officer Christopher Fitzgerald.
Griffin’s last day at Temple will be June 30.
President John Fry, in a letter to students and faculty on Wednesday, said Griffin has “led a period of significant change and improvement” during her time in the department. She helped implement nearly 80 recommendations from an independent safety audit, as well as dozens of operational and technological enhancements.
She was recognized by Campus Safety Magazine as the Campus Safety Director of the Year last summer, as she oversaw a 28% decrease in burglaries, car thefts and aggravated assaults.
However, Griffin has also faced criticism for not doing enough to hire and retain campus police officers.
Fry said he will be working closely with Griffin in the days ahead to identify interim leadership for the department. Meanwhile, there will be a national search to fill the position permanently.
