by Damien Pearson and Christie Oneill

Joey Seeley, the director of campus safety and security and police chief of the University of Maine at Presque Isle, came to the college hungry to serve. 

As students scurried past his office in the Campus Center in the late fall, the gregarious and energetic staffer chatted frankly about security. 

“Our role here is to educate and ensure the safety of everyone,” he emphasized.

With a focus on resources and education, Seeley is already impacting the campus. 

Seeley, a UMPI alumni, is deeply committed to safety and his community. He maintains thirty years of expertise in law enforcement and security positions, including his tenure at Roosevelt International Park and his duties as a state park ranger and manager.  

“I worked at Roosevelt International Park for various summers, then became a state park ranger and manager,” he said. “While going to school, I went into a work-study job here at UMPI, started in security, then as a Resident Assistant (RA),” Seeley explained.

He stated he enjoyed his time at UMPI and would choose the same path today, further illustrating his devotion to his community.

As he transitions into his new role, Seeley is relying on his background and education to develop a safety and security plan. 

If there is an active incident involving emergency personnel, Seeley will send out communication tests to ensure a rapid reaction. Seeley is currently negotiating with other companies to expedite active crisis communications, although access to widespread crisis messaging is limited to approximately four persons.

Seeley vehemently assured staff and students that action was his first response to any incident. 

“If I hear of an active situation, I will not sit here and communicate; I will spring into action,” he stressed.  “My experience, with almost 34 years of working in the county, means I have connections everywhere, ensuring that someone will always be available to respond.” 

Seeley has ensured that communication tactics are readily available so that he can be at the scene while also alerting the necessary parties. 

Throughout his career, Seeley has gained countless resources within the local community. If a large-scale situation were to occur, those resources would be called upon to respond.

 “Many people live within two minutes from here, so it is never whoever is on patrol at the time,” Seeley explained. “It is also about who gets the message and is readily available.” 

Seeley also ensures proper training among security and residential staff. Through discussions and training sessions, “they can read it (policies) word for word so nothing is missed,” he explained. 

Seeley plans to provide more training opportunities for students and staff, including an exercise to plan what to do in an active shooter emergency.

Seeley also advocates for mental health and believes “there is no shame in reaching out.” 

With campus resources for students struggling with mental health or substance abuse, he urged any students to speak up.

 “If someone reaches out to me or to counselors (in person or anonymously), we would give them the resources they need … we would give them the proper contacts.”

Seeley stressed that he is approachable and open to talking to everyone. He said that all rules are in place for everyone’s safety. 

With an increased security presence on campus, Seeley aims for a safe environment for all students and staff.