On March 20, 2024, OPD's Sergeant Chris Coverly and Officer Shakira Greer had the opportunity to provide their training & experience to students in the following classes.

Presentation to Forensic Science Class-Discussion on the Collection, Preservations and Analyzing of Evidence at Crime Scenes and in the Laboratory

Presentation to joint meeting of Forensic Class and the Forensic Toxicology class-DUI, SFST, ARIDE, PBT, DRE's/Breath & Blood Testing & Preservation

Hands-on workshop/demonstration to Biotechniques class/Laboratory- BODE Kit/DNA Swabs, Gun Powder residue, DOA Scene Processing, Fingerprinting, Latent Prints, Sample Degradation, Contamination, Evidence Logging and Chain of Custody

Presentation/Demonstration to Criminal Justice Club- Educational Requirements for Officers, Rank/Chain of Command Responsibilities, Patrol Officer duties, Court Duties, Moral/Ethical Responsibilities both on & off duty, Community Relations, Personal On-the-Job Experiences of Officers and demonstration of Courtroom procedure/testimony by officers. 

Officer Shakira Greer has been a member of the Oxford Borough Police Department since 2016. She has attended numerous schools and trainings to include ALERT Active Shooter, SFST, ARIDE, Interview & Interrogation and Drug Traffic Patrol & Interdiction. She is a Certified Crisis Intervention Team member, having received training in the response, recognition and handling of people in crises and those with cognitive disorders. Officer Greer is a patrol officer with experience in enforcement of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, Pennsylvania Crimes Code, Community Policing, Forensic Interviews for children suspected to be abused, assisted the Municipal Drug Task Force in the purchase and deliveries of controlled substances. Officer Greer regularly holds informational sessions for the local elderly community to advise and inform of current trends in scams affecting the senior population. She is the department representative for Oxford Area Schools; giving annual presentations to grades 3-8 on the dangers of drugs, bullying and social media awareness, as well as representing Oxford Borough Police with each school’s annual Career Day. She is the coordinator for Oxford Police Department’s annual holiday community outreach “Christmas Toy Parade” in which officers greet and gift every borough child a Christmas gift on Christmas Eve; helping to strengthen the bond between officers and the community they serve. She also is a Camp Counselor for The Pennsylvania State Police’s annual Camp Cadet. Officer Greer is a 2004 graduate of Lincoln University with a BA in Criminal Justice and a 2009 graduate of UMUC with a dual degree MS in Management and Homeland Security.

Sergeant Christopher Coverly has been a member of the Oxford Borough Police Department since 2001. He has attended numerous schools, seminars and has completed the same through Chester County Detective School, Sex-Related Homicide and Death Investigation, training in Computer Search & Seizure, Post Blast Investigation School, Northeast Counterdrug Training Center class 17 of Top Gun, Crime Scene Investigation School, Property and Evidence Management, Supervisor in Training School, Field Training Officer, FBI-LEEDA Supervisor Leadership Institute. He guides subordinate staff in the performance of their duties. Ensuring effective daily supervision, guidance and support of officers and staff. Overseeing personnel – both sworn and civilian – on a daily basis. Ensuring that personnel are taken care of, are represented and are treated fairly. He has completed training in and serves as the department internal affairs investigator, handling personnel issues and investigating allegations of misconduct. He Educates staff about regulatory changes and new technology or methods. He prepares reports, budget reports, scheduling, maintaining logs, and ensuring the upkeep of departmental records. He serves as the department’s accreditation manager. His duties include developing administrative systems, policies and procedures, maintaining records, compiling proof of compliance, and conducting administrative inspections and audits. 

Sergeant Coverly said, "It was an honor to be invited by and collaborate with Lincoln University, to be able to share the training we have learned with the future criminal justice students. They all had great questions, and the hands-on lab is always fun to put students at a mock crime scene so they can see what it is like to work in this field". 

Officer Greer and Sergeant Coverly spent the day with Daniel Clay, Assistant Professor, Sociology and Criminal Justice Department and Tom Gluodenis, MBA, PMFS, PhD Professor, Dept of Chemistry & Physics of Lincoln University. "Many thanks for sharing your time, experience, and talents with us yesterday.  The day was certainly a success with excellent interaction from the students.  I do sincerely hope we will do this again with future classes.", said Professor Gluodenis in an email sent to the officers.

Officer Greer was asked what she would like to tell the students that attend Lincoln University's Criminal Justice program. She said, " Thank you for sharing your classroom time with OPD to explore career possibilities in the LE & Forensics fields. We hope we were able to give valuable insight into a challenging yet fulfilling opportunity to protect and serve our communities and hope we at OPD have the pleasure and privilege to one day work alongside LU alumni." 

In September 2023, Lincoln University has been awarded a $400,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish an HBCU Undergraduate Center for Forensic Science. The goal of the center is to promote diversity in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) while providing students with the foundational skills necessary to excel in forensic science graduate programs and/or crime laboratories. 

To learn more click here www.lincoln.edu