
Diocesan police force becoming a model for other dioceses

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By The Catholic Accent
Ask parents of a school-age child what their single greatest concern is after they drop their children off at a bus stop or school door, and they will overwhelmingly tell you it is the safety of that child.
School violence continues to make headlines. And while many education administrators have responded with school security and resources officers, a number are still looking for solutions to ease the minds of parents whose children are in their care.
In October, Dr. Nancy Rotler, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Greensburg, and Chief Ryan Maher, Director of Diocesan Security, were invited to share their experience in a presentation at the National Catholic Education Association Catholic Leadership Summit in Seattle, Wash. Attendees at the conference wanted to know how the Diocese of Greensburg formulated the first private police department in Pennsylvania and possibly the nation.
Rottler told the attendees that the first step in the process was to listen to parents and administrators, teachers and staff.
“After our internal conversation, we appointed a panel of experts who were able to help the Catholic schools office determine our next steps,” Rottler said. “Bishop (Larry J.) Kulick approved our plans to proceed and in the spring of 2023, we put our plans into motion with the hiring of Chief Maher.”
Under Maher’s leadership, the Diocesan police force has more than 20 officers serving Catholic schools and parishes. Officers hired by the Diocese each have at least 10 years’ experience in law enforcement.
Rottler said those attending the conference were impressed with the speed in which the police force was up and running.
“We were also to share with some of the superintendents and leaders some of the lessons we learned in the process,” she said.
Maher said many attending the summit have reached out to him for more information about the Diocesan police department and its formation. Maher said many dioceses and Catholic schools utilize local police to provide protection, which can be cost-prohibitive. He is currently providing information to a Florida diocese as they consider moving towards a uniformed police force.
“I have been on several Zoom calls with them, walking them through what the process has been here and how that correlates to what they can do down there based on their state laws,” Maher said. “It’s an ongoing process with them. I’ve told them they can call us anytime to use our experiences to make their transition easier.”
Maher said that as his department has developed, he is not surprised that other dioceses are interested in what the Diocese of Greensburg has accomplished.
“I initially thought that our department would be focused on our schools, and it still is, but we have been able to expand our coverage to a multitude of events,” he said.
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