Case closed: A professional journey in University policing

Anjelica Rowe, MPA ‘16, earned her undergraduate degrees in criminal justice — an associate’s degree from SUNY Broome in 2012 and a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Morrisville in 2014. Thanks to her classroom connections, she received a unique opportunity to pursue this second degree through a full-time internship with the Binghamton University Police Department (UPD). This led her to a lifelong career, and she decided to pursue an MPA at Binghamton University in 2016. She was then promoted to investigator, a role she holds today.

We sat down with Stanko to discuss her position and career path, and the role of the UPD in campus safety and student support on college campuses.

• Can you tell us about your role at the UPD and your responsibilities?
  

I’m an investigator with University Police. There are currently four investigators within our department. I investigate criminal and noncriminal incidents that come in; I assist patrol officers in gathering more information for their reports, collect evidence and conduct interviews. I work closely with the district attorney’s office and the local courts, and I handle most of the department’s court paperwork and discovery. I also work with various campus partners across the University to bridge services and help students have a successful career on campus.

• How and why did you first pursue your current position?
  

I always liked watching crime shows — the thought process of investigations always intrigued me. While attending SUNY Broome Community College, I was introduced to University Police by one of my professors, a former University police officer. When I went on for my bachelor’s degree, I was given the opportunity to intern for a full semester with UPD at Binghamton. I sat with dispatch, spent time shadowing officers on the road and even got to work with the investigators at the time — Pat Reilly, Bob Meddleton and Dennis Bush. That’s where I got my initial interest, and I learned a great deal from them.

I first started working here as a student while I was earning my master’s degree. I worked for Physical Security and UPD as a temporary secretary at one point. In 2017, I left to work for an insurance company while I waited to get my results from the civil service exam. I couldn’t wait to come back — I had connections here, and it’s close to home. My goal was always to come back and be an investigator, it has been a very fulfilling career so far.

• Have there been any challenges along the way?
  

The way law enforcement works, you have to take tests to get to certain levels. Some of the questions are practical, and others are very specific and law-based, and you must meet a certain amount of experience and qualifications to even take the test in the first place. My first civil service exam for the investigator position was probably one of the most difficult and nerve-wracking challenges I’ve faced, because I knew a lot was riding on that test.

• What do you find interesting about investigative work?
  

I think a lot of officers really do like being able to listen to someone’s problem and trying to resolve that as best you can. As an investigator, we get to look at the bigger picture of the cases that come in from patrol. We can connect things and see where it takes us. My favorite part of my job is the thought process that you go through.

• Why did the Master’s in Public Administration program stand out to you?
  

The MPA is interdisciplinary. It worked for me, and it was accessible. There are no local criminal justice master’s programs, but I focused on a local government management certificate program and then took classes that were geared towards that topic in the MPA program, which I think helped me in the long term.

• What are some of the biggest changes at Binghamton you’ve witnessed while continuing your MPA and working here full time?
  

The campus is always growing. New buildings, updating old buildings, increased enrollment — the population is getting bigger. We have more off-campus properties than ever before, and there are changes that are going to be coming along with that, too, which is an exciting challenge to overcome as an officer. Staffing is a big issue, but as we’re increasing in size, our numbers might have to increase to allow more movement and coverage.

This campus is very beautiful, even in comparison to other SUNY campuses. I’ve made a lot of friends here in the department and across the campus. I don’t have any intentions of leaving. I feel very at home here.

• Have there been any projects that you have enjoyed being able to participate in?
  

At the end of last year, I became a board member for the Crime Victims Assistance Center (CVAC). That’s an interesting challenge and something new for me. There are a lot of new members, and we’re all learning how we can help. It’s a local nonprofit off-campus that works to help the community, which I’ve never been part of before. I’m also on the Students of Concern and Threat Assessment Committee, which is a great learning experience.

• What’s next for you?
  

Learning everything I can from the people that I work with. We’ll see from there where I’m going to go!