Chris Prescott named director of public safety and chief of police at CU-Lock Haven

Chris R. Prescott has been named director of public safety and chief of police at Commonwealth University-Lock Haven as of December 2023. 

Prescott, a native of New Jersey, completed the New Jersey Police Training Commission’s Basic Course for Police Officers (BCPO) at the Essex County Police Academy in Cedar Grove, New Jersey and began his law enforcement career with the Livingston, New Jersey police department in 1987.

After relocating to Pennsylvania, he completed the Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officer Training and Education Certification (MPOETC) waiver training at Lackawana County College, Hazelton Center.

The majority of his 35-year career, he was employed by the Mahoning Township Police Department in Montour County, serving as the department’s criminal investigator and retiring in 2015 at the rank of Sergeant. He also has served as the in-house and area instructor, holding several certifications to instruct and certify officers in the use of less-lethal force options. In addition, he was employed by Bucknell University as a public safety officer, as well as Bloomsburg University as a university police officer.

Following his retirement, he served as a Columbia County sheriff’s deputy, a school resource officer for the Millville Area School District in Columbia County and most recently as chief of police for the Luzerne Borough Police Department.

“I greatly appreciate this opportunity to be a member of the Commonwealth University-Lock Haven community,” Prescott said. “I have two sons who graduated from Lock Haven and the campus brings back fond memories of the times they were students here. I am excited to be back.”

Prescott holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in public administration, both from Kutztown University.

“As a longtime member of the law enforcement community, a profession that I have been honored to be a part of, I will as the CU-Lock Haven chief of police, always and to the best of my ability, use my experience and education to provide and maintain a safe environment for our students, faculty, staff and visitors, alike,” Prescott said.

“We are pleased to welcome Chief Prescott to the Commonwealth University-Lock Haven family. He will serve an integral role in fostering a safe and welcoming campus environment and we thank him for his commitment to serving our students and university community,” said Bashar W. Hanna, president.