Mark Cummings Sworn In as New Bowie State Police Chief

University Prepares for New Public Safety Initiatives

MEDIA CONTACT: David Thompson, dlthompson@bowiestate.edu, 301-860-4311

(BOWIE, Md.) – Mark Cummings took the oath of office last week and was sworn in as the university’s new director of public safety and chief of campus police at a ceremony in the Fine and Performing Arts Center attended by administrators, faculty members, students and law enforcement officials. Cummings joined Bowie State in July bringing over 30 years of law enforcement experience to the campus community.

“The Bowie State University Department of Public Safety has continued to thrive under the leadership of Chief Mark Cummings since he joined our team,” said President Aminta Breaux. “He is a senior law enforcement executive with a comprehensive knowledge of established public laws, team building, and community policing. We look forward to continue working with him as he continues to advance public safety on campus.”

“Higher education law enforcement requires a different approach than traditional policing,” said Chief Cummings. “Crime is opportunity and chance. This is an open campus and the challenge for my officers is to be aware as much as possible of non-students coming on campus causing problems. Our department’s most important job is to always safeguard students, faculty, administrators and visitors when they are on Bowie State’s campus.”

Next year Chief Cummings will deploy different patrolling techniques to provide greater visibility of the police department and its officers. “The more people see our officers in their vehicles, on foot or riding Segways will help discourage unacceptable behavior and crimes from occurring on campus,” said Cummings. “Currently, many of the problems that my officers address are domestic oriented issues.”

The Bowie State Police Department works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure the entire campus community is safe.  Officers enforce Maryland State laws and university regulations to prevent crime, enforce fire safety and oversee parking.

###

About Bowie State University
Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, cybersecurity, teacher education, business and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit bowiestate.edu.