Pitt-Bradford Police Chief Honored

Dan Songer, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford chief of police, was honored by the Northeast Colleges and Universities Security Association at its annual conference held earlier this month in Groton, Conn.

NECUSA awarded Songer the Lawrence W. Joy Award for Outstanding Service, which goes to a member who has contributed to the association in an unselfish and dedicated manner.

Songer, who is leaving the NECUSA board of directors after nine years of service, was nominated by C.G. McLaughlin Jr., chief of police for Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Conn.

“Not only has Dan enhanced the organization with his input, organizational skills and the utmost willingness to roll up his sleeves and get things done, he has consistently exhibited a quiet leadership ability that always seems to make things work,” McLaughlin wrote in nominating Songer.

Songer said, “It’s a special honor to be recognized by your colleagues. I was surprised and honored.”

Songer has been police chief and director of campus safety since coming to Pitt-Bradford in 1996. He is past president of the College and University Police & Security Association of Western Pennsylvania and president of the Community Relations Board at the Federal Correctional Institution, McKean, and the Seneca Law Enforcement Agency in McKean County.

Before serving as Pitt-Bradford’s chief, Songer was an officer with the Foster Township, Bradford Township and Bradford City police departments. He is a 1977 graduate of the Pennsylvania State Police Academy.

NECUSA, established in 1953, is the oldest campus law enforcement organization in the United States.