LUPD appoints Stuart J. Bedics to new assistant chief post

The Lehigh University Police Department announced the appointment of former Bethlehem Police Commissioner Stuart J. Bedics to the position of assistant chief of police. In his new role, Bedics will assist current LUPD Chief Ed Shupp in the day-to-day operations of the 34-member department and in other administrative duties.
Bedics began his police career with Bangor Borough and Lower Saucon Township after graduating from the Allentown Police Academy in 1984. He joined the Bethlehem City Police Department in 1987 and rose through the ranks to become its commissioner. During his tenure as commissioner of Bethlehem Police Department, he worked in close partnership with LUPD to enhance the Community Police Program, and collaborate on technological improvements that benefit both departments. He left that post in 2011 to become the chief of police at DeSales University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice.
Shupp said that Bedics’ depth of experience with running a city-wide police force, combined with his most recent experience as chief of a university police department, made him an ideal choice for the role.
“Stu has been a professional colleague for many years, and I’ve always been impressed with his command of the law, his level of dedication, his integrity, and of his ability to lead,” Shupp said. “He brings nearly 30 years of experience, which will help us better serve the Lehigh campus and the neighborhoods surrounding our campus. He understands the campus, our culture, and our students, and I expect a very smooth transition into this new role.”
Shupp said that Bedics’ strong network of local law enforcement relationships and working knowledge of the LUPD programs and systems represent significant assets.
The assistant chief position was created through strategic re-allocation of department funds and re-configuring of other department positions to better accomplish university and department goals. Assistant Chief Bedics will begin in this new role on April 1, 2013.
The LUPD remains one of only four university police departments in the state to have earned accreditation under the provisions of the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Program of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association. A top-to-bottom review of the department’s procedures, policies, operations and management is conducted every three years to ensure high standards.