Jason Koski/University Photography

From left, Andrew Navarro, William Carpenter, Michael Meskill, Michael Corp and Michael Scott are sworn in as officers.

Jason Koski/University Photography

Officer Kyle Hollenbeck and Rogue, at left, and Officer Justin Haines and Chase are commissioned.

Jason Koski

Phil Mospan receives his lieutenant’s collar brass insignia and his wife, Kathy, pins his badge.

Sgt. Philip Mospan was promoted to lieutenant, five Cornell University Police (CUP) officers sworn in, and two K-9 patrol teams introduced at the officer commissioning and swearing-in ceremony May 15 in the Statler Ballroom.

Although the promotion and appointments had already been in effect, the event formally recognized the officers’ achievements and new responsibilities.

Mary Opperman, vice president for human resources and safety services, read a note from President David Skorton: “The Cornell University Police are a highly professional unit whose work is integral to the university’s ability to carry out our core missions of education, research and public engagement. … Although I cannot be with you in person today, I appreciate this opportunity to salute you all. Best wishes as you undertake new roles, and thank you, on behalf of the entire Cornell community, for your good work.”

In commissioning Mospan to the rank of lieutenant, Chief Kathy Zoner cited the expansion of Mospan’s responsibilities to include leading the Crime Prevention Office, which he has launched in “new and exciting ways.” She spoke of the many years of service that Mospan has given CUP, beginning with his appointment as patrol officer in 1979. He then served in the neighborhood services unit, the major investigations unit, and eventually the Office of Professional Development, as a training officer and as training director.

In introducing the two K-9 explosive detection teams – Chase, a yellow lab handled by Officer Justin Haines, and Rogue, a black lab handled by Officer Kyle Hollenbeck – Zoner noted that the expansion from one to two canine teams was made possible through a grant from the New York State Department of Homeland Security, which helped pay for such initial setup costs as equipping a K9-ready vehicle. Additionally, Rogue was a gift from Juli Lathrop and Cheryl Runyan of the Kramer Foundation. Haines and Hollenbeck were appointed Cornell patrol officers in 2007 and 2008, respectively, and both are 2008 graduates of the Central New York Law Enforcement Academy.

Chosen from among 270 applications and 35 candidates interviewed, the five new officers – Bill Carpenter, Michael Corp, Michael Meskill, Andrew Navarro and Michael Scott – have all lived in nearby counties. Three – Corp, Meskill and Scott – are 2012 graduates of the Southern Tier Law Enforcement Academy.

Carpenter grew up in the Cortland area and earned an associate’s degree from Tompkins Cortland Community College in criminal justice. He served the Cortland City Police Department for 21 years before working at Hofstra University’s Department of Public Safety for three years.

Corp served as a security guard and patrol officer at Ithaca College and lives in Cortland. He earned a B.S. in criminal justice and psychology from SUNY Albany.

Meskill, of Trumansburg, received a B.S. in accounting from Keuka College in 2010. He earned honors for leadership and led his class in physical fitness at the academy. Meskill formerly worked in the Cornell Police Auxiliary.

Navarro was born in the Bronx and grew up on Long Island. He served eight years in the Army with an active tour in Iraq, followed by 17 years with the Ithaca Police Department.

Scott, who lives in Van Etten, earned a B.S. in business management at Liberty University. At the academy, he was recognized for leadership and had the highest scores of his class in academics and firearms marksmanship.

All CUP officers are commissioned by New York state to enforce and make arrests for violations of federal, state and local laws and are empowered by Cornell to enforce its Campus Code of Conduct.