Full-time Officer Assigned to Wheeling Campus

Wheeling City Patrolman Ronald J. Faldowski has been named campus liaison officer for the Wheeling campus of West Virginia Northern Community College.

According to a joint announcement from WVNCC and the police department, it was noted Faldowski began his full-time duties at the college on Jan. 3.

Wheeling Police Chief Robert Matheny said he is very excited about the partnership between the college and the police department. “We have always had a great working relationship with Northern, but I think the presence of a full-time officer will enhance our community policing efforts.”

Stephen Lippiello, vice president of administrative services and chief financial officer at Northern, said the college “is pleased to welcome Officer Faldowski to campus. His experience and presence will add immeasurably to providing a safer environment for students and staff.”

Lippiello explained that the Wheeling police officer’s job responsibilities will include patrolling campus buildings, enforcing campus regulations including those concerning parking, providing escorts as needed, securing buildings and maintaining required records related to safety issues, among other duties.

Matheny said, “I’m unaware of any other municipal police department in West Virginia that has a full-time officer assigned to a college campus. The model for the campus liaison officer was developed from the prevention resource officer’s concept,” he explained, adding, “The Wheeling Police Department has five PROs assigned to Ohio County schools within the city. The CLO position is funded by WVNCC.”

Faldowski joined the Wheeling Police Department on Aug. 24, 2009, as a full-time officer after working previously at Northwood Health Systems. A native of Steubenville, Faldowski graduated from Buckeye Local High School and Bethany College.

Northern, in addition to the new officer, will continue to utilize part-time Wheeling police officers on campus during evening hours.