Purdue police welcome new officers and announce promotion with special ceremony

The Purdue University Police Department (PUPD) recently held a ceremony to swear in two new officers and announce a promotion within the department.

Officer Kevin Jones joins PUPD after working at the university as associate director of undergraduate education in the Department of Computer Science. Prior to that position, he served as lead academic advisor for the department. Officer Jones graduated from Purdue with a bachelor’s degree in technology education and master’s degree in technology leadership and innovation. 

Officer Martin Schap comes to the department after almost two years of working as a police officer with the city of Lafayette. He has a bachelor’s degree from Wabash College, where he also worked as an admissions counselor. He has also served as a case manager for Wabash Valley.

“We are thrilled with the different experiences these two new officers bring to our department,” said Chief Lesley Wiete. “We are confident they will be great additions to the team, and we are fortunate to have them.”

PUPD also promoted McKenzie Wagner from officer to sergeant. In her new role, Sgt. Wagner works in the patrol division supervising a shift of officers. Wagner has prior experience at the Lafayette Police Department, where she worked as an animal control officer and police officer. At PUPD, she serves as a crisis hostage negotiator, field training officer and certified firearms instructor. She was recently named the Crisis Intervention Officer of the Year for the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.  PUPD is part of the Administrative Operations organization, which supports the university through safe, reliable and transformative services. Hiring new officers with a variety of experiences and promoting within the department are two of the many ways the organization continues to power Purdue. To learn more about the daily operations of the organization, follow us on Instagram at @purdueoperations.