After nearly 20 years of service, Officer Leroy Wimberly looks back at building community on campus and in North Philadelphia.

On a warm July afternoon, Police Officer Leroy Wimberly straightens his hat, steps out of his Community Engagement Unit van and begins one of his final walks across Temple University’s campus. 

“It’s been an honor to serve the Temple and North Philadelphia communities,” Wimberly said. “I’ll always carry Temple with me.” 

For nearly two decades, Wimberly has become a familiar face both on campus and in North Philadelphia while serving as Temple University Department of Public Safety’s (TUDPS) community engagement officer. In the role, he organized outreach initiatives such as Cookies with Cops, in which he met students where they are while sharing safety resources. He also connected with students in the classroom and taught a women’s self-defense course over the past decade. However, much of Wimberly’s legacy is built around the work he did off campus in North Philadelphia, where he focused on mentoring young people, organizing holiday giveaways, introducing children to Temple athletics and more. 
 
“I always wanted to inspire the youth,” he said.  

Wimberly taught the Gang Resistance Education and Training program in nearby Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School for nine years, helping young people build positive relationships with law enforcement while teaching them about making better decisions.  

Affectionately known throughout the North Philadelphia community as ‘Mr. Make It Happen,’ Wimberly became synonymous with Temple’s community policing efforts. He made sure students in need were dressed to impress for prom, built bridges between law enforcement and the community by organizing a basketball game between Temple Police and neighborhood children, and helped to launch Temple’s Pack a Patrol Car school supply drive.  

Working alongside Temple Police Captain Enoch McCoy, he also organized annual neighborhood Thanksgiving meal distributions, children’s holiday parties, literacy programs, mentorship initiatives, blanket drives and countless other neighborhood outreach events. 

“Officer Wimberly has always understood that the most impactful work happens when you become part of the community,” McCoy said. “His ability to connect with children, families, students and neighbors is something that’s incredibly special.” 

Wimberly said building connections begins with building trust, adding that a lot of work behind the scenes goes into that. However, many people took notice. Last year, Wimberly was named Citizen of the Week. His work also helped Temple Public Safety earn a KYW Newsradio Changemaker Award. TUDPS also won a North Broad Renaissance Award for community partnership. And more recently, Temple men’s tennis received the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Northeast Region Community Service Award after partnering with Temple Police to introduce neighborhood children to the sport—an initiative Wimberly spearheaded.  

Andrew Lanetti, president of the Temple University Police Association, said Wimberly set the standard for community policing. 

“In the 12 years that I have worked for this department and this university, I don't think I have ever met anyone who was as well-known as Leroy Wimberly,” Lanetti said. “Officer Wimberly was a truly great example and source of knowledge, not only for myself early in my career, but for so many other officers.”  

Lanetti said Wimberly’s ability to make meaningful connections stood out everywhere he went. 

“He would laugh and joke with people as if they were family,” Lanetti said. “He was a shining example of what a public servant should be. His lifelong dedication to law enforcement and his love for this community speak volumes about who he is as both a person and a police officer.” 

Before joining Temple, Wimberly spent 15 years as a police officer with the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA), patrolling neighborhoods near campus. 

“I was fortunate to work with Temple Police on several details while with the PHA,” Wimberly said. “That’s how I learned about them. When the opportunity came to join Temple, I took it.” 

“We were fortunate when he came to Temple Police,” said interim Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Denise Wilhelm, adding Wimberly’s influence has reached both the Temple campus and surrounding neighborhoods. 

“He has made an amazing impact on students at the university and children in our neighboring schools. He’s going to be missed,” Wilhelm said. 

McCoy believes the foundation Wimberly built will continue for years to come. 

“Officer Wimberly never looked at community engagement as an assignment. It was who he was,” McCoy said. “For Wimberly, every interaction was an opportunity to build trust. TUDPS shares that same passion for serving others, and we’re committed to continuing those relationships.” 
 
Wimberly said working at Temple allowed him to pursue what became his life’s passion. 

“Policing is about relationships. You have to let people feel seen and be heard,” Wimberly said. “Most importantly, you have to let our neighbors know you support them. It’s not only what the Engagement Unit is all about. It’s what Temple’s mission stands for.”