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Newly appointed UMMS Deputy Chief of Police C. Leon Pierce (left) with Chief of Police John Luippold |
C. Leon Pierce has been appointed the new deputy director of public safety and deputy chief of police at UMass Medical School. Deputy Chief Pierce comes to UMMS from the Connecticut State Police, where he served for 21 years.
“Deputy Chief Pierce brings a breadth of experience that will be a great addition to our department and the medical school community,” said Director of Public Safety and UMMS Police Chief John Luippold, who swore in the new deputy chief in a ceremony held on Wednesday, Nov. 9.
Pierce, who earned a bachelor’s in sociology from the University of Connecticut and a master’s in management from Albertus Magnus College, was promoted to lieutenant in 2008. Most recently he served as a supervisor in Internal Affairs, and previously was the commanding officer for three state police barracks; area commander for the Statewide Narcotics Task Force; and chief of staff to the State Police colonel. He has received multiple recognitions for his law enforcement work in Connecticut, where he introduced policy, procedural and programmatic initiatives that improved agency efficiency and working conditions for troopers.
Pierce brings to the UMMS force his keen interest in professional development for police officers and security personnel in the Department of Public Safety. “I’m extremely happy to be here and very fortunate to be working with Chief Luippold and learning from his experience at an academic institution,” said Pierce. “We’re focused on finding different approaches to not just addressing problems, but being part of solutions—we are here to support individual freedoms with respect for the diverse community and people we serve.”
The position of deputy chief was last held by Luippold prior to his being promoted to chief.
The UMMS Department of Public Safety is responsible for providing a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, staff, patients and visitors. Based in the police station located on the main level of the South Road parking garage, UMMS police officers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All are sworn in under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 75, Section 32A, have received training at Municipal Police Academies and have the same law enforcement authority as municipal police.
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UMMS police sergeants receive award for advanced training
