25
April
2022
|
12:39 PM
America/Chicago

UHDPD Welcomes New Officers, Announces Promotions & Awards

The University of Houston-Downtown Police Department (UHDPD) recently welcomed two new officers, celebrated the promotions of two veteran members, and presented two lifesaving awards at a special ceremony on April 22.

Officers Gabrielle Chambers and Huey Payne were given the oath of office by UHDPD Chief of Police Casey J. Davis. The chief also announced the promotions of Tabitha Rivera to Corporal and John Pool to Sergeant. During the ceremony, the officers were pinned with their new badges by family members.

“We are excited to have Officers Chambers and Payne as part of our department,” Davis said. “I am also proud to announce the promotions of Corporal Rivera and Sergeant Pool. I know they are going to be outstanding leaders.”

UHDPD New BadgeAll UHDPD officers were given a new badge, which recently underwent a redesign. “The new badge is heavier than our previous badge,” Davis said. “That weight is a reminder of the responsibility we carry to protect our students, faculty, staff, and visitors.” He added, “It’s a personal mission for all of us to ensure the safety of the UHD Community. We take this job very seriously.”

UHDPD Lt. Trinity Delafance and Officer Aaron Lake-Garcia were presented with the department’s Life Saving Award by Chief Davis. The two are credited with saving the life of an individual found unconscious on campus. The officers administered CPR and used the defibrillator to shock the person’s heart back into rhythm. Emergency medical personnel then transported the individual to the hospital and they have since made a full recovery.

“I applaud Lt. Delafance and Officer Lake-Garcia’s quick thinking to save the life of this individual,” Davis said. “Time was of the essence and the actions of our team truly made a difference.”

To learn more about the UHDPD and its services, visit the department website.

About the University of Houston-Downtown

The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is the second-largest university in Houston and has served the educational needs of the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1974. As one of four distinct public universities in the University of Houston System, UHD is a comprehensive, four-year university led by President Loren J. Blanchard. Annually, UHD educates approximately 14,000 students, boasts more than 66,000 alumni, and offers 45 bachelor’s degrees, 12 master’s degrees, and 19 online programs within four colleges: Marilyn Davies College of Business, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Public Service, and College of Sciences and Technology. UHD has one of the lowest tuition rates in Texas.

U.S. News and World Report ranked UHD among the nation’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Applied Administration and Best Online Master’s Programs in Criminal Justice, as well as a Top Performer in Social Mobility. The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked UHD one of the best colleges in the U.S. for its 2024 rankings, with notable distinctions: No. 1 for diversity (tied) and No. 3 for student experience. The University is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a Minority-Serving Institution, and a Military Friendly School. For more information on the University of Houston-Downtown, visit uhd.edu.