KYW Newsradio named Temple University’s Department of Public Safety as a leading organization that’s making a difference and uplifting the lives of people in and around Philadelphia's communities of color.
Temple University’s Department of Public Safety accepted KYW Newsradio’s Game Changers of the Year award at a banquet on Wed., Feb. 25, 2026.
Photo by Matt Petrillo
For the first time, the Engagement Unit of Temple University’s Department of Public Safety (TUDPS) was honored with a Game Changers of the Year award, which was presented by KYW Newsradio this week.
“This well-deserved award recognizes Temple Police Captain Enoch McCoy, Police Officer Leroy Wimberly and all TUDPS members who are a part of the Engagement Unit. I am so proud of their dedication to the Temple and North Philadelphia communities and everything they are doing to uplift our students and neighbors,” said Jennifer Griffin, chief of police and vice president for public safety.
The award, which is presented by KYW Newsradio to 10 honorees every February, recognizes people who make a difference in communities of color.
“When it comes to making sure the youth in and around Temple University are thriving and safe, look no further than Leroy Wimberly and Capt. Enoch McCoy, a dynamic duo of Temple University police officers. They go above and beyond the call of duty, from raising money for kids’ holiday gifts and donating books to Read Across America to mentoring young Black men,” KYW Newsradio reporter Racquell Williams said in her report that aired earlier this month.
Some of the Engagement Unit’s recent initiatives include a blanket-distribution drive to 60 neighbors during the recent cold-snap, a Thanksgiving dinner giveaway ahead of Thanksgiving, the Children’s Holiday Party held for 300 children from North Philadelphia and more.
“Working as a Temple University police officer gives our team an opportunity to pay it forward,” McCoy said.
Wimberly, who has been with the department for 20 years, said it’s important to go the extra mile for the children of North Philadelphia.
“We feel it’s an obligation to help our youth, the schools around us and help to change their perspective, not just on life but the journey that they want to go on,” Wimberly said.
Wimberly added that it’s rewarding knowing they’re making a difference and said his sons keep him motivated and passionate about staying consistent in helping the community.
“With my sons, their friends, I’m known as ‘Pops.’ If they respect me and look at me as their pops, I have to keep going to show them the importance of community engagement,” he said.
In addition to holding numerous community events throughout the year, Wimberly and McCoy play basketball with youth, teach drug resistance programs in North Philly schools and volunteer at Carver High School, encouraging many students to consider enrolling at Temple. Last year, more than 40 students did so.
McCoy said they understand the struggles faced by today’s youth. Their goal is to try to show children that they have a bright future.
“We are providing something that’s going to be beneficial to our students,” he said. “We really, really care about the youth in this community because we come from this community or communities like this.”
View KYW Newsradio’s 2026 Game Changers honorees here.
