UNC Charlotte is a relatively safe campus, and Jerry Lecomte and his colleagues in the Police and Public Safety Department are working to keep it that way.
Lecomte, an award-winning employee, joined the University in 2007. Under the leadership of Chief Jeff Baker, he revamped the department’s Community-oriented Policing Division in 2011. As program coordinator, Lecomte focuses his efforts on outreach, programming and education to students, faculty and staff.
“Our goal is to get to know the campus community and the needs of our students and employees,” said Lecomte, who is often in the Student Union when not in the FM/PPS Building. “We want the community to see our presence on campus and that we are available and visible, especially to the students. We want them to feel comfortable with us to ask questions and seek our help if needed.”
As coordinator of the Community-oriented Policing Division, Lecomte conducts a variety of presentations to student organizations and in freshmen seminar and classes. In addition to providing an overview of the department, Lecomte talks about issues related to alcohol, use of illegal drugs, relationship violence and spring break safety.
“Often, students arrive on a college campus with more autonomy and freedom than they have had in the past, so we want them to become more aware of the consequences associated with certain actions and behaviors,” explained Lecomte.
Prior to coming to UNC Charlotte, Lecomte, a New Jersey native, worked on small-town forces and at a small college campus. He said one of the challenges of working at a university is the short span to get to know the population. “In a small town, a police officer has a 30-year career to get to know the citizens. Our challenge is to get to know our students in a short period of time and have positive interactions with them. We have a limited time to make a difference in their lives and to help them make wise choices. We especially want to reach them as freshmen, so over the next three or four years they see us as a resource.”
Lecomte’s efforts in 2012 resulted in two honors – the University’s Employee of the Year Award and the Governor’s Award of Excellence. He said the awards were unexpected, but he was honored to be a recipient and to be recognized.
Beyond the University, Lecomte collects law enforcement insignia and badges, and he is an avid antique car restorer and enthusiast.