"University Police Department" Archive

Safety and Security Resources for the WFU Community

A message from Wake Forest University’s Chief of Police Regina Lawson

As Wake Forest begins the academic year, it is a good time to remind our community about University resources related to safety and security:

Wake Alert

  • Wake Alert is the University’s mass notification system for communicating about situations affecting safety and security. In addition, Wake Ready offers considerable information about emergency preparedness, key University contacts and more.

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Categories: Inside WFU

Major Stormer on diversity in law enforcement

Major Derri Stormer, who oversees the support services, strategic initiatives and community engagement division in the Wake Forest University Police Department (UPD), is featured in this Substantial Magazine Q&A on the importance of diversity and inclusion in law enforcement. Headshot of Major Derri Stormer, of the Wake Forest University Police Department, in uniform in front of an American flagThis special issue of Substantial Magazine highlights experts, advocates and thought leaders in the diversity, equity and inclusion space and discusses how diversity shows up in different sectors.

“Representation matters,” said Stormer. “We have to actively work at building relationships with diverse groups.”

Major Stormer joined the Wake Forest UPD in 2016. She leads the UPD’s Citizens Police Academy, which connects the community with campus police and promotes conversations about policing on campus.

She has been awarded the 40 Under 40 Leadership Award from the International Chiefs of Police Association in 2018, and this year, she received the 2021 Martin Luther King Jr. “Building the Dream” award.

Categories: Inside WFUStaff News

Security Officer Brenda Craig passes away

We are saddened to share that Security Officer Brenda Craig passed away on July 31. Photo of Brenda Craig, Wake Forest University Security Officer

Brenda joined Wake Forest in 2016 as a part-time security guard. While she worked in a variety of locations around campus, Brenda was most frequently assigned to Farrell Hall as the weekend guard.

We grieve Brenda’s death and extend our condolences to all who had the opportunity to know her. A memorial service is being planned and information will be provided when it becomes available.

Wake Forest offers support and counseling services for all students, faculty and staff. The Counseling Center may be reached at 336.758.5273, the Chaplain’s Office at 336.758.5210. For faculty and staff, there is also the Employee Assistance Program at 336.716.5493.

Categories: Inside WFUStaff News

Revised WFU 2020 Annual Crime and Fire Safety Report available

A revised copy of the 2020 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report has been posted on the Wake Forest University Police website to reflect current policies and information. 

Changes include updates to:

  • The WFBMC Employee Substance Abuse Policy located on pages 194-197

This report contains information regarding campus security and personal safety for the Wake Forest community. It also contains information about crime and fire statistics for the previous three calendar years. Crime statistics are for occurrences on campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Wake Forest (including branch campuses); and on public property within or immediately adjacent to campus. Fire statistics are for on-campus residence halls.

UPD thanks recent retirees Major Overholt and Officer Bottoms

This is a guest post from Wake Forest University Police.

Major Ken Overholt

Headshot of Major Ken Overholt

Major Ken Overholt

Wake Forest University Police would like to recognize and thank Major Ken Overholt for his 26 years of dedicated and committed service to the campus community and University Police.

In addition to supporting normal University Police operations, Overholt has made significant and lasting contributions to our community. He led, researched and implemented our gate access and emergency notification systems, body-worn cameras and the Wake Downtown security plan.

His grant writing secured more than $500,000 for dispatch and records management systems, and additional community policing officers.

Overholt also secured the first Campus Violence Against Women Prevention Grant ever awarded in North Carolina. He is one of the few national professionals certified as a Clery Compliance Officer.

We are fortunate to have had Major Overholt on staff for more than two decades and grateful for his dedication to our Wake Forest community.

Officer Mike Bottoms

Headshot of Officer Mike Bottoms

Officer Mike Bottoms

Wake Forest University also thanks Officer Mike Bottoms for his 45 years of dedicated and committed service to the campus community and University Police.

Bottoms has served and protected the University since 1976. He staffed two Presidential Debates along with countless other special events in Wake Forest history.

During his near half-century at Wake Forest, Officer Bottoms’ commitment to his work often meant that his supervisors had to “make” him take days off. We appreciate his unwavering dedication and courage during his years of service to the Reynolda campus.

Categories: Guest PostInside WFUStaff News

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