U. Police official to leave post

This month, the University of Pennsylvania Police Department will bid farewell to a pioneer policewoman, Associate Director of Special Services Maureen Kelly. Kelly has recently accepted the position of director of Safety and Security at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa. She will assume her new role on Feb. 10. "It is a bittersweet experience for us because Maureen came to Penn with a lot of experience as a law enforcement officer and as a humanitarian," Vice President for Public Safety Maureen Rush said. She added, "It's a loss to Penn and Special Services... but it's a credit to Maureen and to Public Safety." In 1976, Kelly was among the first Philadelphia Police Academy class that included women. After graduation, she worked in the Philadelphia Police force for 23 years. She reached the rank of lieutenant in the homicide division and was a supervisor to a task force for the Drug Enforcement Agency. In 1998, Kelly retired from the Philadelphia Police Department and moved to Bosnia to work for a United Nations international policing task force. While in Bosnia, Kelly worked for human rights and trained local police. Specifically, she investigated war crimes and promoted safety for women. After returning to the United States, Kelly took the position of associate director of Special Services at Penn in November of 2000. Director of Special Services Patricia Brennan said that Kelly was an invaluable asset to the department. "She's brought a ton of warmth and compassion with her, which is primarily what we need here at Special Services," Brennan said. As associate director, Kelly investigated cases and worked one-on-one with victims and perpetrators. She also worked with resource centers and student groups to educate students about safety. Kelly said her experience as a Philadelphia policewoman and a United Nations investigator prepared her for her position at Penn. However, her role within the University brought rewards that her previous positions did not. "What I enjoy the most is working with students," Kelly said. "It's a breath of fresh air after working with drug dealers." Kelly said she is excited for her new job and looks forward to the transition. At Franklin and Marshall, she will take on a more administrative role, working with a team of detectives beneath her. However, she still plans to maintain a presence outside of her office as well. Yet despite her excitement about her new position, Kelly said she will be sad to leave her home in Philadelphia. "I'll miss everyone here," she said. "They're a great group of people." Kelly's colleagues said they will miss her as well. "We're thrilled for Maureen for the advancement," Rush said. "We'll miss her, but we know that the people of F&M; will be well taken care of." Brennan said she will also miss Kelly, but knows Kelly will thrive in her new role. "I know she'll succeed," Brennan said. "I'm absolutely thrilled for her -- she deserves it." Former University Executive Vice President John Fry left Penn in July to become president of Franklin and Marshall.

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