Lt. Trinity Delafance

Trinity Delafance was fresh out of the Police Academy when he took the oath to serve and protect others as a patrol officer with the University of Houston-Downtown Police Department.

That was 23 years ago.

Today, Delafance now serves as a UHDPD Lieutenant and one of its most tenured members.

He says the relationships built over time has made UHD a special place to be.

“As campus police we perform the same duties as other law enforcement agencies, but at the same time, we are a specialized unit, because we tend to interact with many of the same people every day,” he said. “We have the great opportunity to really get to know them and build connections with them.”

Delafance can be seen daily making his way through the halls of campus visiting with students, faculty and staff.

“It is forming those bonds that is important,” he said. “As officers we want them to know that they can come to us at any time and feel like they can trust us, because we are here to help.”

To that end, the veteran lieutenant conducts various safety workshops throughout the year, including active shooter training and CPR training. Delafance has had to put his CPR training to use in longtime career with UHDPD to save lives.

Delafance and Director of Emergency Management Cynthia Vargas also oversee the Public Safety Liaison program. Composed of volunteers, this group supports the Department of Emergency Management and Fire Safety during systems tests and evacuation drills.

Most of all, Delafance has a heart for community outreach. He helped coordinate the recent National Night Out event and he is making plans to provide Thanksgiving dinners in need to local families and also distributing holiday toys to students at Ketelsen Elementary School in the Houston Independent School District. Donations for the holiday efforts come from donations from UHDPD officers, faculty and staff.

Both the Thanksgiving and holiday initiatives have become traditions at UHDPD and deepened officers’ connections with the communities they serve.

“I look forward to these events every year,” Delafance said. “It’s important to help out our community members when we can, especially those who need it the most. We will be sending out information soon on how the campus community can contribute and get involved.”

So, what has kept Delafance at UHD for all these years?

“I just love working here and it has become like a second family,” he said. “Over the years I have made lasting friendships among my fellow officers and others on campus. To me, that’s something special and I am very grateful to be a part of UHD.”