The ceremony also recognized achievements in professional development, academic milestones, physical abilities, commendations and community partnership efforts — highlighting accomplishments across every division of Public Safety.

Award recipients were nominated and voted on by their peers, with final selections reviewed by a designated awards committee, ensuring a process rooted in fairness, transparency and the values of the department.

2025 Chief’s, Of the Year and Lifesaving Award Winners

Chief’s Award: Scott Freeman ’11
With more than two decades of service to UCF, Deputy Chief Scott Freeman ’11 is widely regarded as the embodiment of loyalty, reliability and hard work. He began his career with the UCF Police Department as a civilian community service officer and steadily worked his way up — earning sponsorship to attend the police academy, progressing through the ranks and ultimately becoming deputy chief. His rise reflects an unmatched work ethic and a deep commitment to serving the university community.

As his responsibilities grew, so did his professional accomplishments. Freeman went on to graduate from the prestigious FBI National Academy, becoming — at the time — only the second UCFPD member ever selected for the program, an honor reserved for roughly 1% of law enforcement professionals nationwide.

Though he rarely seeks the spotlight, Freeman is known across campus for being available at any hour and for consistently putting others first. His humor and quick wit bring levity to public safety operations, and his passion, compassion, and dedication continue to make the department a stronger and more supportive place to work.

Chief’s Award: UCFPD’s Emergency Response Team
The second Chief’s Award recognizes a unit whose exceptional coordination, discipline and professionalism have set a new standard for campus safety. In 2025, UCFPD’s Emergency Response Team was called into action 24 times — often with little warning — to manage complex multi‑agency operations across UCF and Central Florida.

Despite the size and unpredictability of these events, the team delivered extraordinary results: not a single major incident, no arrests and no use of force. Their success was no accident. It was the product of rigorous training, meticulous planning and seamless communication, all anchored in a steadfast commitment to safety and de‑escalation.

Crisis Intervention Officer of the Year: Allison Sienkiewicz ’17
Supporting the mental health and well‑being of students is one of UCFPD’s highest priorities, and Officer Allison Sienkiewicz ’17 exemplified that commitment throughout 2025. During one crisis response, she helped a student who had engaged in self‑harm by creating a calm, supportive environment, and guiding both the student and their parent through the Baker Act process with empathy and clarity. In another call, she assisted a student experiencing suicidal ideations, taking the time to build trust, validate fears, and ensure the student felt safe and heard. Because of Sienkiewicz’s steady presence, compassion, and exceptional crisis intervention skills, both students received the critical, life‑saving support they needed.

Dispatcher of the Year: Nattia Lawrence ’24
Dispatchers play a crucial role in every incident, serving as the steady voice callers rely on in their most stressful moments. Nattia Lawrence ’24 embodies that responsibility each day through her friendly, approachable demeanor and her willingness to assist at any moment. She has taken clear initiative to expand her knowledge and impact within the department — participating in the mentorship program, joining the Public Safety Events Committee and pursuing her master’s degree while working full time. Her positive attitude, responsiveness, and reliability make her someone both colleagues and the community depend on, earning her this well‑deserved recognition.

DUI Officer of the Year: Adriel Rivera Aponte  and Isabella Sanchez
DUI enforcement plays a vital role in keeping our roads safe, and even a single impaired‑driving arrest has the potential to prevent a tragedy. This year, Adriel Rivera Aponte and Isabella Sanchez share this recognition, each recording four DUI arrests. While the numbers may be smaller due to UCFPD’s limited jurisdiction, their work demonstrates strong initiative in this critical area and the department’s frequent participation in countywide operations led by partner agencies. Their efforts underscore the continued importance of DUI enforcement and set a positive example for proactive policing across the department.

Field Training Officer of the Year: Jonathan Mattingly
UCFPD sets high expectations for new officers, offering a comprehensive training program that includes six weeks of classroom instruction followed by three months of paired, on‑the‑road training. In 2025, Officer Jonathan Mattingly trained two new officers through all three phases of the program, drawing on both his UCF experience and prior agency knowledge to support their growth. His trainees and his peers consistently praised his approach, noting his ability to adapt training techniques to each officer’s individual needs. His patience, insight and strong leadership mindset set a high standard for those entering the profession, making him a well‑deserved choice for Field Training Officer of the Year.

Officer of the Year: Jeffrey Hopkins ’22
Corporal Jeffrey Hopkins ’22 is being recognized for his exceptional leadership, professionalism and commitment to mentoring the next generation of officers. Known as one of the most proactive and knowledgeable members of the agency, he approaches every situation with confidence, patience and genuine care. As a field training officer, he guided multiple new hires through their early months on the job, taking the time to explain complex situations, build their confidence and model the highest standards of policing. His colleagues consistently praise his ability to make others feel supported and welcomed, strengthening teamwork and fostering a healthy, positive culture across the department. His strong decision‑making, steady demeanor and dedication to excellence have left a lasting impact on his squad and the agency, contributing to his well‑earned promotion in 2025.

Partner of the Year: Millicent Downer
Though much of her work happens behind the scenes, the entire employee lifecycle —especially for UCFPD’s sworn officers — relies on Downer’s leadership, expertise and attention to detail. She oversees all human resources functions for Public Safety and, together with her team, supports the broader Administration and Finance Division. From recruitment, hiring, and onboarding to retention, professional development, and offboarding, she guides every step with clarity, professionalism, and steady poise. Her commitment to excellence and her advocacy for employees make her an invaluable partner to the department.

Professional Staff Member of the Year: Jennifer Floyd
Stepping into an expanded role this year, Jennifer Floyd quickly established herself as a driving force behind several major security initiatives at UCF. She played a central role in advancing key projects, including the commissioning of the new College of Nursing building and the campus‑wide upgrade of more than 500 security cameras — an effort that significantly strengthened the university’s safety infrastructure. Amid significant staffing transitions, Floyd helped maintain steady operations while coordinating hundreds of maintenance requests and pursuing advanced professional training to support the department’s evolving needs. She also led nearly 50 training sessions for teams across the university, ensuring that critical security systems remained reliable and well‑managed.

Professional Staff Supervisor of the Year: Benita Harrison ’25MPA
Benita Harrison ’25MPA supports the chief of police in daily operations, helped guide the department through organizational changes in 2025 and is a trusted source of knowledge on university processes. She chairs multiple committees with fairness and precision, oversees department events with outstanding organization, and consistently creates positive experiences for staff and partners. She also mentors her work‑study student and provided significant support to the Central Florida Criminal Justice Association’s executive board last year. Dependable and dedicated, Harrison exemplifies excellence in supervision.

Rookie of the Year: Kamila Otero ’24
Officer Kamila Otero ’24’s journey with the department began as an intern, later becoming UCFPD’s first police cadet — a role that helped establish a pathway now used to develop future officers. After graduating from the academy at the top of her class academically, she transitioned seamlessly into patrol and quickly proved herself dependable, capable, and deeply committed to serving the campus community. In just one year, she has handled a wide range of calls with confidence and compassion, actively seeks feedback, supports her squad, and represents the department with enthusiasm through outreach and engagement. Her positive attitude, initiative and early impact truly set her apart.

Senior Leader of the Year: Laura Valle ’17MA
Laura Valle ’17MA consistently stepped beyond her responsibilities to support her team—taking on extensive on‑call duties to prevent burnout and ensure uninterrupted crisis‑response services for the campus community. Her expertise reached national and statewide levels through her authorship in a crisis‑response manual and her training of new crisis responders. She also secured major grant funding to expand the threat management team, led extensive campus outreach and successfully rebuilt and staffed her unit during a challenging period. Through it all, she led with integrity, compassion and a steady presence that earned the trust of colleagues and partners across UCF.

Sworn Supervisor of the Year: Danielle Adams ’13 ’20MS
Danielle Adams ’13 ’20MS leads the Threat Management Team through some of the department’s most sensitive and high‑risk cases, approaching every situation with calm judgment and compassion. She manages a demanding workload with remarkable organization and focus, while also bringing valuable expertise from her task‑force work, which strengthens partnerships and improves the department’s overall preparedness. She advocates for officer wellness and mental health, ensuring officers receive vital crisis intervention training and provides support whenever needed. She played a key role in implementing the department’s new threatmanagement software and continues to lead confidently during Emergency Response Team deployments. Respected, trusted and consistently steady under pressure, she embodies what it means to be a strong and thoughtful leader.

Team of the Year: Department of Security (Steven Freund, Jarrell Odom ’18 ’23MS, Jennifer Floyd and Nick Cottone)
The Department of Security works tirelessly behind the scenes to support not just public safety, but the entire UCF community. They collaborate daily with Facilities, Athletics and colleges across campus while managing access control, license plate readers, guard services, and UCF’s complex camera system. Their work has a campus‑wide impact. The cameras they maintain are essential to criminal investigations and help keep students, faculty, staff and visitors safe at major events like Spirit Splash, football games, and free expression events. In 2025, they met the task of replacing 500 cameras before the end of the fiscal year — an achievement that secured leadership’s support for additional funding to continue modernizing the system.

Lifesaving Award: Andres Uzcategui and Ethan Temperato ’24
When a call came in reporting a woman unconscious and not breathing, officers Andres Uzcategui and Ethan Temperato acted immediately. Upon assessing her condition, they discovered she had no pulse. Uzcategui began lifesaving CPR while Temperato secured the scene to ensure responders had space to work. The patient stopped breathing multiple times, but the officers’ persistence brought her back each time and kept her alive until medical personnel arrived. Because of their quick action and unwavering determination, the woman survived.

Lifesaving Award: Mike Rivera and Hayden Bonas
Upon arriving at the scene of a medical emergency, Officer Michael Rivera immediately began CPR and rescue breaths on a student who had fainted and was unresponsive. Officer Hayden Bonas quickly cleared the room and retrieved an AED to assist. Working together, they stabilized the student until medical personnel arrived. In addition to this incident, Rivera administered lifesaving Narcan in a separate medical emergency and now teaches CPR and first aid to future law enforcement recruits — further extending his impact beyond the calls he responds to.

Held quarterly in Quantico, Virginia, the FBI National Academy is internationally recognized for its challenging curriculum and competitive selection process. Nationally, fewer than 1% of officers are selected to attend this program.

Gavette was nominated by fellow FBI National Academy graduate and UCFPD Deputy Chief Scott Freeman ’11 — an opportunity he didn’t take for granted.

“Everything focuses on personal growth and professional development,” Gavette says. “The FBI offers academics and coursework, but there’s also a lot of peer-to-peer interaction. By the time you leave, you have a holistic view of best practices from around the world.”

Attending the Academy had long been a goal for Gavette, dating back to his early days as a corporal at UCFPD. Beyond the coursework and fitness challenges, he says the greatest benefit was gaining new perspectives and knowledge from his peers.

“From the first couple of classes, I learned right away that UCFPD does things right. We’re leaps and bounds ahead of other agencies,” Gavette says. “But it was also helpful to learn what others are doing that we might be able to implement at UCF.”

The immersive program includes dorm-style living, a structured schedule and intensive training. Gavette says the most difficult part was being away from his family and routine, but that experience led to a surprising takeaway: the importance of mindfulness and wellness.

“In almost everything we did, there was a focus on being intentional and positive,” Gavette says. “This job can be challenging, so managing your emotions and understanding how that affects your colleagues, family and personal health is crucial.”

Gavette began his career at UCFPD in 2004 as a patrol officer and has since served as a special liaison to the UCF President and as a field training officer. He currently serves as commander of both the special operations division and special response team, and has previously led the agency’s main campus patrol and professional standards divisions.

Before joining UCFPD, Gavette served with the Florida State șŁœÇֱȄ (FSU) Police Department and earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice and criminology from FSU. He’s also a graduate of the Southern Police Institute’s 59th Command Officers Development Course.

Now a member of the National Academy Associates, Gavette has access to ongoing training, resources and a global network of law enforcement leaders.

His advice for others considering the program?

“I think it’s the best experience you can ever go through as a law enforcement professional,” he says. “When you come back, you’ll be better, and your agency will be better because of it, too.”

He will succeed incoming Chief Robin Griffin-Kitzerow, whose promotion was announced earlier this month. Griffin-Kitzerow shared her enthusiasm about continuing to work alongside Freeman.

“In the last few years, I have come to know Scott as an incredibly hard worker who genuinely and deeply cares about our agency, personnel and community,” says Griffin-Kitzerow. “His heart for service is present in everything he does.”

For Freeman, the appointment is a deeply personal milestone — one that reflects years of dedication and professional growth.

“I am both honored and humbled by this opportunity,” says Freeman. “With a steadfast commitment to excellence, I will work tirelessly to support our officers and strengthen our bond with the community we proudly serve. Together, we will continue to raise the standard of care and keep our campus safe.”

A Journey of Service

Freeman’s career at UCFPD began in 2005 as a civilian community service officer before the department sponsored him to attend the police academy. Upon graduation, he was immediately sworn in as an officer. Over the years, he steadily rose through the ranks — from patrol officer to incoming deputy chief — serving in various investigative roles, including four years with the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation Task Force.

Most recently Freeman served as major over the Operations Bureau, where he oversaw police operations for both the main and regional patrol divisions, the Criminal Investigations Division and the Community Outreach Unit.

Among his many professional accomplishments, Freeman completed esteemed leadership programs through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Florida Police Chiefs Association. He also graduated from the prestigious 285th session of the FBI National Academy — becoming only the second UCFPD officer to do so and joining the elite 1% of law enforcement professionals nationwide selected for this honor.

A proud UCF alumnus, Freeman holds a bachelor’s degree in and a graduate certificate in police leadership. He also recently earned a master’s degree in public safety from the șŁœÇֱȄ of Virginia.

Carl Metzger ’03MS, who has served as chief since 2018,  will remain the associate vice president of public safety, overseeing the university’s broader safety portfolio, including UCF Police, Victim Services, Emergency Management and the Department of Security.

With safety a top priority for UCF, President Alexander N. Cartwright says these key transitions will further enhance our unwavering commitment to security and well-being across UCF’s campuses.

“Incoming Chief Griffin-Kitzerow is a proven leader whose compassion, expertise and proactive approach to campus safety have earned the trust of our community,” Cartwright says. “As she steps into this critical role, and as her fantastic predecessor, Chief Metzger, continues to provide strategic oversight and vision, we are well-positioned to continue our efforts to provide a safe, welcoming environment for our students, faculty, employees and visitors.”

Griffin-Kitzerow expresses her gratitude and appreciation to the Public Safety family and university community.

“I am thrilled to serve as the UCF Police Department’s next chief of police,” Griffin-Kitzerow says. “This role comes with a legacy of excellence built by an incredible team of sworn law enforcement officers and support staff, and I am committed to leading as we continue our important mission to keep UCF a safe, secure environment for all.”

That legacy includes the steady leadership of Metzger, who will continue serving UCF in a strategic role focused on public safety across the university.

“Incoming Chief Griffin-Kitzerow is an exceptional leader whose vision, integrity and dedication will serve UCFPD well. I look forward to continuing to work alongside her to build an even stronger, safer future for our university,” Chief Metzger says. “I remain deeply committed to advancing strategic public safety initiatives across our campuses and working with the talented leaders, officers, and employees across UCF Public Safety.”

Incoming Chief Griffin-Kitzerow: A Dedicated Public Servant

Since joining UCFPD as deputy chief in 2022, Incoming Chief Griffin-Kitzerow has been a driving force behind transformative initiatives in crisis response, threat management and officer development.

With a career spanning more than three decades in public safety and education, Incoming Chief Griffin-Kitzerow brings a unique blend of law enforcement practice and psychological expertise. She recently earned a doctoral degree in forensic psychology, adding to her already impressive academic credentials, which include two master’s degrees — one in psychology, one in public administration and another in forensic psychology — and a bachelor’s degree in organizational management.

Before coming to UCF, she served as deputy chief at Florida Atlantic șŁœÇֱȄ Police Department and spent 20 years in leadership roles with the Palm Beach County School District.

In 2018, Griffin-Kitzerow led a juvenile rehabilitation effort in Palm Beach County. In response to the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in the same year, she developed a proactive strategy to identify and manage potential threats before they could escalate. This vision led to the creation of a multi-disciplinary investigations division focused on threat assessment and intervention.

She brought that same approach to UCFPD, where she has worked to support and enhance the Threat Management Team into a comprehensive unit of detectives, an intelligence analyst and a mental health clinician that works collaboratively to monitor individuals of concern.

Her expertise and leadership has not gone unnoticed outside the university. Incoming Chief Griffin-Kitzerow was recently elected president of the Central Florida Criminal Justice Association and serves on the boards of Central Florida Cares and the Central Florida Intelligence Exchange. She is also a sought-after speaker on threat mitigation strategies, frequently presenting to school districts and public safety panels across the country.

Beyond safety, she is also passionate about shaping the future of law enforcement. She has spearheaded UCFPD’s recruitment efforts, launching Explorer and cadet programs that tap into the university’s talent pool of criminal justice majors. The department also sponsored qualified graduates to attend the law enforcement academy, creating a direct pipeline from classroom to career.

As she steps into her new role, Incoming Chief Griffin-Kitzerow becomes UCF’s first-ever “Dr. Chief” — a title that reflects both her subject matter expertise and her unwavering dedication to public service.

Chief Carl Metzger: A Legacy of Leadership

As he transitions from his role as chief of police to continue serving as associate vice president (AVP) for public safety, Metzger carries forward a legacy of steady leadership, innovation and unwavering commitment to the UCF community.

Chief Metzger, who will continue to provide oversight to Public Safety’s more than 130 sworn and civilian personnel across UCF Police, Victim Services, Emergency Management and the Department of Security, has been at the helm during some of the university’s most transformative years. Since beginning his tenure as chief in 2018, Metzger has demonstrated calm, capable leadership — overseeing public safety responses to numerous hurricanes, managing the logistics of high-profile events like ESPN’s College GameDay and Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff, and guiding UCF through its expansion into the Big 12 Conference, which significantly increased the complexity of game day operations.

Before joining UCFPD as deputy chief in 2014, Chief Metzger spent 26 years with the Orlando Police Department, rising through the ranks and serving in patrol, administrative services and special operations.

Upon becoming Chief, Metzger established key priorities for the department, including enhanced active threat response and expanded mental health resources for both the community and officers. He also managed a budget of approximately $15 million annually.

While UCFPD officers already received the state-mandated active threat training, Chief Metzger pushed for more immersive, realistic preparation. Under his leadership, officers began participating in annual simulations that include the sights, sounds and even smells of real-life crisis scenarios — something he says is critical for officers to practice until it becomes second-nature.

He also oversaw significant upgrades to campus security infrastructure, including the installation of additional cameras and access control systems. Today, most campus buildings can be locked down instantly at the push of a button.

Chief Metzger shares Incoming Chief Griffin-Kitzerow’s belief in preventing violence before it occurs. Under his leadership, UCFPD became the first law enforcement agency in Central Florida to achieve 100% crisis intervention training (CIT) for its sworn officers. This training equips officers to respond compassionately and effectively to individuals experiencing mental health crises.

He also championed suicide prevention efforts, frequently hosting QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training sessions for both law enforcement and the broader community. His initiatives included wearing green patches during Mental Health Awareness Month, wrapping a police cruiser in green, participating in NAMI’s annual 5K and organizing a campus walk that raised over $15,000 for suicide prevention.

Collaboration remains a cornerstone of Chief Metzger’s leadership and role as AVP. He worked closely with the Orlando Police Department and other local agencies to launch a regional emergency response team trained in crowd control and bicycle response tactics. When UCF expanded to its downtown campus, he helped establish a regional patrol division to oversee UCF Downtown, the Rosen College of Hospitality Management and the College of Medicine in Lake Nona.

With decades of experience and a network of strong law enforcement partnerships, Chief Metzger is well-positioned to continue shaping public safety at UCF in his ongoing role as AVP. His legacy is one of innovation, compassion and a deep commitment to the safety and well-being of the UCF community.

What’s Next for Public Safety

Incoming Chief Griffin-Kitzerow will be formally sworn in later this summer. Until then, she will continue working alongside colleagues and community partners to ensure a smooth transition focused on maintaining the safety and well-being of the campus and surrounding community.

“It doesn’t even seem like it’s that long,” Mouton says. “It seems like I just met those people a few weeks ago. I can still remember who they are. I can still see their faces. You just never forget. You never do.”

In the Aftermath, an Officer’s View from the Frontlines

Sept. 11, 2001, started as a normal day for Witherspoon, who is now part of UCFPD’s special operations division. Then Witherspoon and his partner got a call that a plane had crashed into one of the towers. When they received another call a few minutes later about the second tower, they knew something was seriously wrong.

“The first day we didn’t know exactly what was going on,” he says. “We were listening to the radio and we could hear officers screaming over the radio, calling for help and all types of things going on. We knew something serious was going on, but at that time, we didn’t know it was a terrorist attack.”

Witherspoon didn’t report to the World Trade Center that day, but he did arrive in downtown Manhattan the next day to work the security detail around the site’s perimeter. He stayed at that post for the rest of the year.

He remembers an eerie calm over the usually bustling city in the days after the attack.

“It was like watching one of those movies where there’s just total destruction,” Witherspoon says. “There’s nobody around, and all of the buildings were still covered in soot and ash. It was really just a sight to behold.”

Witherspoon didn’t know any fellow police officers who lost their lives on 9/11, but he did know a firefighter who responded and perished. The 20-year NYPD veteran remembers standing outside working security while watching his brothers in blue and fellow first responders going in and trying to rescue those who might still be in the building.

“It’s one thing about being a cop that you learn over the years, you obviously want to be in the middle of what’s going on,” Witherpoon says. “As most people are running away, we’re running into the danger. You want to help. It’s just a feeling that never goes away, you want to go in and help.”

Americans from across the country stepped up too, he says.

“That was a point in time and a period in history where it seemed like everyone came together,” he says. “Everybody was there to help. It really brought home what first responders do. Because from that day forward, a lot of people will come up and thank you for your service.”

Across the River, Advocates Offer Comfort and Support

As Witherspoon protected Ground Zero, Mouton and her team were across the Hudson River consoling those who lost loved ones in the attack.

Mouton, who was working in Melbourne at the time, was in a staff meeting that was interrupted with instructions to turn on the news. Minutes later, her team was deployed to New York as crisis responders.

Because planes weren’t yet back in the air, her team made the 24-hour drive to New Jersey, where they reported to the family assistance center. Though they’d been trained in crisis response, nobody could be prepared for an event of 9/11’s magnitude.

“This was nothing that anybody had ever envisioned as a crisis responder, so the books kind of went out the window, so to speak,” Mouton says.

They set up a companioning model, where victims could report to the center and be assigned to an advocate that would accompany them and explain services. There was an area for social security, a place for DNA samples to be given in the hopes it would aid in identifying loved ones, and a process for death certificates.

Eventually, family members were allowed to collect ashes from the 9/11 site.

“They had a really nice memorial where they brought them over from the other side of the river,” Mouton recalls. “A bagpipe was played and there was a police escort and family members were able to come back down and pick up a box if they chose to do that because there really wasn’t going to be much for them other than that one box.”

One night, Mouton’s group was able to leave the center and visit the site themselves. Her experience was similar to Witherspoon’s.

“You could taste and feel the grit and dust in the air,” she says. “We could hear this thunder rolling down the street and sure enough, here comes this huge flatbed truck. It had these humongous pieces of iron girder on the back and they were just crushed like tissue paper. When you see something that’s supposed to be that strong, it’s just like, there are really no more survivors there.”

Mouton’s team was there for almost two weeks. The Florida Crisis Team that she was part of had other members at the actual site debriefing first responders, patrol officers and others who were helping with body identification.

“There were a lot of intense stories that were shared, and you don’t ever forget those kinds of stories,” she says. “It’s almost in that moment someone has shared something really intimate with you and you don’t ever want to let it go. You just always carry it with you and you don’t ever forget. You never forget.”

This prestigious training, which was held in in Quantico, Virginia, is internationally known for its curriculum and is extremely competitive. Fewer than 1% of officers have the opportunity to attend the program.

And it’s no walk in the park once you get there, either, according to Freeman.

“The setup is like going back to the police academy,” Freeman says. “It’s dorm-style living with a roommate and it’s very structured, with physical fitness classes and graduate level coursework, and every day is packed full.”

Freeman says the most challenging part was being away from his wife and two kids and work for so long.

“It’s a big commitment to be gone for 10 weeks, and I mean you’re essentially off the grid, so that was tough,” he says. “You’ve got to be ready to put all your effort into it and be as committed as you can be to get everything out of it that you can in those ten weeks, because while it feels long, it goes by quickly.”

Law enforcement executives from across the globe attend this training, and Freeman says of the most important things he gained from the experience was perspective.

“I always say that perspective is one of those things you don’t have until you get it and then once you get it, you wish you could give it to everyone else,” he says. “And what I mean by perspective is that I learned how lucky I am to work for the agency and leadership I work for and for the community that I serve.”

Freeman and other class participants would often discuss initiatives and campaigns their agencies were part of, and he was surprised to hear that many of the basic practices and policies at UCF aren’t common in other parts of the country.

“It made me realize that we’re [UCFPD] doing things really well,” he says. “Sometimes you forget how innovative and professional we are and how important our policies and procedures are. Being able to compare that to other agencies from across the nation is so unique and it’s going to guide my decision-making from here on out.”

Freeman iss only the second law enforcement professional from UCFPD to attend the FBI National Academy; former UCF Police Deputy Chief and current UCF Chief Information Security Information Officer David Zambri was the first to attend.

Freeman joined UCFPD as a civilian Community Service Officer in 2005 and was sponsored by UCFPD to attend the police academy in 2006. Since being sworn in immediately after graduating from the academy, he’s worked his way up the ranks from patrol officer to his current role as major, where he oversees patrol and operations for the agency. Freeman is also a UCF alumnus with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a graduate certificate in police leadership. He plans to continue working toward is master’s degree after his FBI National Academy credits, which were through the șŁœÇֱȄ of Virginia, are transferred to UCF.

“Just the close quarters of being around 250 other law enforcement executives from across the world was so incredibly rewarding and impactful,” says Freeman. “But it still made me want to come right back to UCF and put everything I learned into practice.”

This group features two UCF alumni who were also former UCF employees, along with a former professional basketball player and an officer with previous law enforcement experience.

“It takes a special kind of person to be a UCF police officer,” says UCF Police Chief Carl Metzger ’03MS. “Most people can’t — or won’t — do it. I expect our officers to do the right thing, always. This can be a tough job but I have the utmost faith that these four are up to the challenge.”

At their swearing-in ceremony, Deputy Chief Robin Griffin-Kitzerow offered her words of wisdom for the new officers.

“On my desk I have a plaque that says, ‘Be the reason people believe in good people’ and I challenge you to be the reason people believe in good cops,” says Griffin-Kitzerow. “We get the opportunity every single day to make a difference, a positive difference, in somebody’s life. Offer guidance, kindness, compassion, support and everything that they would expect in a rescuer and you’ll be just fine.”

The new officers are:

• Brittany Denson, a USF alumna who was a professional basketball player before deciding to start a career in law enforcement.

• Manny Guerrero ’21, a UCF criminal justice alum and former employee for UCF’s Parking Services division who is originally from New York City.
• Allison Sienkiewicz ’17, a UCF criminal justice alumna who previously worked as a threat management analyst at UCFPD before joining the sworn side.
• Roman Watkins, who is originally from Pennsylvania and served as an officer at the Belle Isle Police Department.

The four patrol officers recently completed their classroom training and will now hit the road on the main campus. They will spend several weeks paired with senior officers to receive hands-on experience out in the field before graduating to solo patrol.

A live-stream of the ceremony can be viewed

UCFPD must comply with approximately 250 standards related to life, health and safety issues in order to earn accreditation. A team composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar agencies from around Florida visited UCFPD in March to assess compliance before making the recommendation for accreditation to the board.

Accreditation, which is valid for three years, is a voluntary process that speaks to agencies’ commitment to transparency and accountability. UCFPD was first accredited in 2013, and this is the agency’s fourth time earning the recognition.

“My charge to every member of UCF Public Safety is to do the right thing, and the third-party review from the CFA validates that we are on the right path and serving our community according to the highest standards,” says UCF Police Chief Carl Metzger ’03MS. “We are honored to have again earned accreditation, and we will continue to push forward to be the most professional, progressive and innovative campus law enforcement agency in the country.”

UCFPD’s accreditation is overseen by Accreditation Manager Cynthia Pugsley ’03 ’05, with support from UCFPD’s Training unit. During their on-site visit, assessors question and engage with employees across UCFPD, which makes earning accreditation a true team effort.

Next, UCFPD is pursuing accreditation through the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, or IACLEA. This designation is specific to campus law enforcement and expands upon traditional state standards to include policy and procedures around federal laws such as the and .

Both recruits have a background in sports — one is a former collegiate and professional football player and another is a professional fishing guide who participates in tournaments in his spare time.

At their swearing-in ceremony, Chief Carl Metzger ’03MS emphasized the sacrifice police officers make when choosing this career and the importance of hiring the right person at UCF.

“The UCF community is in great hands with our newest recruits,” says Metzger. “They could be many other things in life, but they chose to serve and we appreciate the sacrifice that they are making today. They are committing themselves to make a difference in the world and to set a positive example for the community they serve.”

The new officers are:

• Tommie Duhart, a father of two who played professional football with the Carolina Panthers.
• Rodger Smith ’19, a criminal justice alum who is originally from Maryland and who loves to fish in his free time.

Duhart and Smith recently completely their classroom training and will now hit the road as patrol officers on the main campus. They will spend several weeks paired with senior officers to receive hands-on experience out in the field before graduating to solo patrol.

A live-stream of the ceremony can be viewed here.

Keeping with this commitment, UCF’s deputy chief of police, David Zambri ’92 ’95MPA has been appointed as associate vice president and chief information security officer.

“The deputy chief’s FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force background, his access to the FBI’s network as a National Academy graduate, and his relationships with agencies like the Central Florida Intelligence Exchange and the U.S. Secret Service will enhance UCF’s ties with these critical law enforcement and national security agencies. I am thrilled he agreed to take on the role,” says Matthew Hall, UCF’s vice president for Information Technology and chief information officer.

Zambri, who holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in public administration from UCF, is already familiar with the university’s information technology deployment. He started his law enforcement career at UCF nearly three decades ago. With 14 years in senior leadership roles, he most recently served as the deputy chief of the UCF Police Department where he oversaw law enforcement information technology and criminal justice information systems.

“When I think of this (new) position, it really is a component of what I’ve done throughout my career,” Zambri says. “It’s keeping the community safe. It’s a shift from traditional crime prevention, law enforcement, and public safety to the cyber landscape. It’s serving the UCF community — keeping it safe from cybercriminals or nation-state actors who can cause immeasurable damage to our institution.

“My top priority is to build a network of support between UCF Information security and its law enforcement partners, the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense and others to ensure that we have the best prevention and response to cyberattacks.”

The FBI National Academy admission for Zambri was a life-changing experience. This exclusive program for senior leaders in law enforcement is a coveted professional development experience for both U.S. and international law enforcement participants. The nationally nominated participants have referred to it as “to law enforcement as to what West Point is to the military.”

IT @ UCF would like to thank former chief information security officer Chris Vakhordjian for his 20 years of dedication to the university and to IT. Under his leadership, he led the IT Security division, peers, students, staff and faculty to a greater understanding and appreciation of security. His contributions have left a positive impression on the success of IT @ UCF and the university as a whole.