A growing TUPD 
 
A former banker, elementary school teacher and personal trainer are among the newest members of the Temple University Police Department (TUPD), each bringing experience from a very different career to their new roles in law enforcement.
 
“Our newest police officers are ready to make a positive impact for the Temple and North Philadelphia communities,” said Denise Wilhelm, chief of police and vice president for public safety. “They are joining a dedicated team committed to serving with professionalism, building strong community relationships and maintaining the highest standards of the Temple University Police Department.” 

Seven police officers have recently joined TUPD, including three experienced police officers and four new police officers who graduated from the Temple University Police Academy on Friday, Oct. 9.
 
“Temple Police are deeply committed to making a lasting impact in the Temple and North Philadelphia communities,” said Wilhelm. “These new officers will build on that work by strengthening connections with our neighbors and creating a safer environment where our students, faculty and staff can learn, work and thrive.” 
 
Meet the four Temple Police Academy graduates 
 
James Dailey, a 52-year-old lifelong Philadelphian, is a former banker who retired from a successful career helping people obtain mortgages. He joined TUPD in search of a more rewarding career. “Temple University is a Philadelphia institution. It’s known for its impactful research and its expansive alumni network,” he said. “TUPD is known for its commitment to fostering positive change in the communities it serves. It’s both a department and a university I’m proud to join.” The father of three is hoping his young children eventually enroll in Temple, utilizing the university’s tuition remission program. “Temple Police offers many great benefits, including 12-hour shifts, every other weekend off and tuition remission,” he said. “I look forward to all of my children becoming Owls one day.” 
 
Raekwon Jackson, 30, from Montgomery County, has had a lifelong commitment to helping others. In 2022, Jackson joined the Pennsylvania National Guard, which he describes as some of the most rewarding years of his life. He also recalls fellow service members pursuing law enforcement careers, reinforcing his own interest in helping others. He looked to join Temple University, saying it felt like a natural fit after visiting Main Campus. His stepfather is also a 1999 Temple journalism graduate who helped introduce him to the university. “One thing I really value about Temple is that they invest in their employees’ growth and education. Temple has a lot of opportunities, and I’m excited to be part of a department where I can make a difference,” Jackson said.

Mohammad Hossain, 32, said becoming a police officer is fulfilling a childhood dream. “What attracted me to Temple was the opportunity to work in a university environment; to interact with students, faculty and staff; and to get to know the neighbors who live in our shared North Philadelphia communities,” he said. Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, Hossain is the first person in his family to pursue a career in law enforcement, and he is especially looking forward to becoming part of the Temple community. Temple’s tuition remission also caught his attention. “It’s a great feeling knowing that the university cares about and encourages our professional development through its tuition remission program,” he said, adding he hopes to return to college to study criminal justice. For now, he’s looking forward to getting out into the field, learning from Temple’s finest and gaining experience. “Becoming a police officer is something I’ve wanted for a long time, so I’m excited to finally have the opportunity to pursue it,” Hossain said. 

Noah Quinn, 22, describes himself, first and foremost, as “a team player.” The Burlington County, New Jersey, native and diehard Phillies fan was a college pitcher until an elbow nerve injury ultimately ended his baseball career. That led him to Temple University Hospital for surgery about a year and a half ago. While recovering, he noticed a university email about an opportunity to join Temple Police. “I always wanted a career where I could be part of a team, and policing felt like a great fit,” Quinn said. Temple appealed to Quinn because of its urban setting and the variety of experiences it offers. “Working in a busy city environment, every day can bring something different. I thought that would be a great place to start my career, learn and grow,” he said. “I’m excited to take everything I’ve learned from the police academy and put it into practice.” He pointed out that he always valued the sense of camaraderie that Temple Police is known for. “Just like baseball, policing is a career where your teammates rely on each other, support each other and work toward something bigger than yourself,” he said. “I’m excited to bring that mindset to Temple and serve our communities.” 
 
Meet the experienced officers joining TUPD 
 
Stephen Combs, 29, has a love for learning. The Montgomery County native and former elementary school teacher is joining TUPD to combine his passions of policing and education. “There’s a real warmth here at Temple Police,” he said. “People genuinely care about each other, they care about the university’s mission and they care about the communities they serve. It’s the kind of department I’m proud to join.” Combs graduated from the Temple Police Academy in spring 2026. He said learning more about the university’s commitment to strengthening TUPD reinforced his decision to join. “Knowing that Temple President John Fry wants the department to grow and blossom—even making that a keystone of his strategic plan, Forward with Purpose—makes me feel confident I’m making the right choice,” he said. He added that his background in education could also help him connect with students and community members. “Teaching was incredibly rewarding, and I’d love to bring that experience into community policing,” Combs said. Looking ahead, Combs is considering utilizing the university’s tuition remission program to pursue a master’s degree and hopes to explore opportunities with the department’s Community Engagement Unit. “There are so many opportunities to educate people, build relationships and make a positive difference,” he said. “I’m excited to learn, grow and see where this career takes me.”  

Lawrence Besa, 49, of Delaware County, is familiar with TUPD. Besa spent 17 years with the department before leaving in 2022 to explore the private sector. He found his way back to Temple Police after realizing how much he enjoyed both the work and the Temple community. “There’s a camaraderie here at Temple Police. It feels like a family. We all know each other and respect each other,” he said. Besa said returning also made him realize Temple Police has evolved in recent years. “Temple Police is a progressive department that is embracing 21st-century policing,” he said. “Coming back, you see enhancements in technology, investments in the people and many more improvements within the department.” He has also noticed a renewed connection between officers and the community. “We were standing outside on Broad Street in the morning and employees were walking by saying, ‘Hey, thanks for being here. Good morning,’” Besa said. “One guy actually brought us a cup of coffee. Those little interactions mean a lot. You feel like people appreciate that you’re here.” Besa encourages prospective officers to consider Temple because of the variety of opportunities. “You get big-city policing within a smaller community,” he said. “There are endless opportunities, such as working in the K-9 unit, the Community Engagement Unit, VIP details, specialized assignments and more. TUPD is a great place to have a career in policing.”  
 
Matthew Hughes, 28, brings extensive law enforcement experience to TUPD. Hughes most recently served with the Philadelphia Police Department, where he worked patrol and earned certifications in rifle, Taser and crisis intervention. Previously, he spent two years with the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., serving in specialized assignments focused on crime reduction and civil disturbances. He also received Commanding Officer’s Commendations for his work assisting victims of gun violence and supporting fellow officers. Hughes holds a bachelor’s degree in security and risk analysis from Penn State University, with a concentration in intelligence and analysis. He also interned with the Transportation Security Administration’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis. He began his career in service as a volunteer junior firefighter with Point Pleasant Fire Company, where he graduated from the Basic Fire Academy. He’s now proud to serve the Temple and North Philadelphia communities as a Temple police officer. 
 
Join the TUPD team 
For those who want to join TUPD, the department is hiring experienced police officers. Following a new agreement between the university and the Temple University Police Association, officers with at least five years of experience, the starting salary is up to $100,000 after completion of field training. 

For those wanting to become new police officers, the department will pay for both their salary and their training in the police academy. After graduation, each new officer will be assigned a field training officer and will receive hands-on experience before moving on to patrol. Following the completion of both training and probation, the starting salary for new police officers is $77,000. New police officers also receive $2,000 sign-on bonuses. Experienced police officers receive a $2,500 sign-on bonuses. For more information, email JoinTUDPS@Temple.edu.