PHILADELPHIA -- Thomas A. Rambo, a lieutenant with the University of Pennsylvania Police Department, has been named Chief of Police at Penn, according to an announcement today by Maureen Rush, Vice President for Public Safety at Penn. His appointment will be effective July 9.

As Chief of Police for the University of Pennsylvania Police Department, Rambo will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Penn Police Department, which includes both the patrol and investigative divisions. He will also serve as the Division of Public Safety's liaison to city, state and federal law enforcement agencies; direct the department's ongoing accreditation process; develop and direct training programs for all members of the Penn Police Department; oversee the department's adherence to all federal and state crime reporting requirements; and serve as the department's representative to the University City District and local community organizations.

"I am extremely pleased to be able to choose a 15 year veteran of the department to assume this critical position," Rush said. "Tom Rambo's expertise, professionalism and demonstrated commitment to the University of Pennsylvania Police Department and the entire University community make him the ideal candidate for the job."

Rambo joined the University in 1986 as a police officer, and held increasingly responsible positions until his appointment as lieutenant in 1998. In that role, he managed the department's Emergency Response Team, motorcycle patrol and bicycle patrol; trained police personnel in a variety of areas including ethics and critical incident response; served as a liaison to Penn departments, most particularly Vice Provost for University Life, working on quality of life issues; and represented the department to the University City District and community townwatch groups.

Rambo also served as the commanding officer for the Special Response Team, a tactical unit designed to handle all serious crimes.

He is a recipient of the Philadelphia County Award for Outstanding Police Performance (2000) from the Citizens Crime Commission of the Delaware Valley.

He was also selected by the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games to train and supervise volunteer law enforcement personnel from around the world during the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta.

Prior to joining Penn, Rambo served as a police officer for the Jenkintown Police Department.

He has a bachelor's degree from LaSalle University, and has completed programs at Holy Family College and Northwestern University's School of Police Staff and Command. He is currently enrolled in a Master of Science program in public safety at St. Joseph's University.

Rambo has received several commendations for bravery and meritorious performance from the Penn Police Department.