MANSFIELD – Mansfield University Director of Police Services
and Chief of Police Scott Henry ’84 was honored with the 2020 Pennsylvania
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) John Radko Police Officer of the Year Award and
the VFW National Law Enforcement Officer Award.
These VFW awards are presented annually to a law enforcement
officer who has shown outstanding dedication and loyalty to the profession. Henry
was presented with the awards by VFW Post 6757 Commander Dan Rieppel on
Thursday at a small, socially-distant ceremony at North Manser Hall on campus.
“Chief Henry unquestionably deserves to be recognized for
the positive impact he has made at our university and in our region,” said Dr. Josh
Battin, Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities at Mansfield University. “It
was his vision, ability to collaborate, and outstanding leadership that led to
the creation of MUPSTI and the improvements made in his department.
“His work will undoubtedly be felt by generations to come.”
A 1984 graduate of Mansfield University, Henry was named
Director of Police Services and Chief of Police in 2017, bringing with him more
than 31 years of law enforcement experience. Before accepting the position at
Mansfield, Henry worked seven years as a Detective in the Tioga County, PA
District Attorney’s Office. He is also a retired Pennsylvania State Trooper, served
as a criminal investigator in Montoursville and has experience in corporate
security.
Henry co-founded the MU Public Safety Training Institute
(MUPSTI), which provides a centralized training site for all first responders
and has been an advocate for cross-training practitioners outside their primary
duties. Since the spring of 2018, MUPSTI has provided over 121 training programs
in law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical disciplines to over 1,600
students, clocking more than 47,000 contact hours.
Prior to the creation of MUPSTI, local public safety
practitioners traveled to training opportunities in other areas of the state or
did not attend trainings due to financial and/or logistical restraints. Practitioners
from around the Commonwealth and beyond now travel to Mansfield University for
their training needs.
Henry has embraced advanced technology in the training of
law enforcement and other public safety disciplines with the implementation of
virtual reality. The Mansfield University Act 120 Municipal Training Academy
curriculum was the first in the state to incorporate virtual reality to provide
future law enforcement officers realistic experience in a variety of scenarios.
The use of virtual reality training for first responders has spread across the
country, a testament to Henry’s forethought and understanding of the training
needs for public safety practitioners.
Henry also restructured the Mansfield University Police
Department to be more efficient and has allocated funds to provide continuous
training to university police officers.
“Having the opportunity to work with our young men and women
daily, is an inspiration,” said Henry after being presented with the VFW
awards. “These are difficult times we currently face in law enforcement and yet
we see young men and women with commitment and integrity willing to step up and
serve our communities and our people. I’m so grateful to be part of that
educational process.”
For more information on the Mansfield University Public Safety Training Institute, visit mansfield.edu/mupsti.