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Christine Bernard-McNamara,
a Massachusetts state police captain, has been appointed
the College’s
new director of public safety, succeeding Jeff Wilcox. She
assumed her duties on Nov. 1.
A resident of Sterling, Mass., Bernard-McNamara served 24
years with the state police. Starting as a trooper, she rose
through the ranks during her tenure to become the fifth highest-ranking
female member of the force.
“Christine’s qualifications are unique and varied,” says
Jacqueline Peterson, vice president for student affairs and
dean of students. “Not only does she have wide-ranging
experience in community service and work with diverse populations,
she is a skilled investigator and has a long list of academic
achievements. We’re delighted to welcome her to the
Holy Cross community.”
As a trooper from 1983-95, Bernard-McNamara was assigned
to several posts, including a five-year appointment at the
State Policy Academy in Framingham, where she wrote and proposed
a legal advisory unit that was implemented by commissioner
of public safety, William McCabe, in 1990. She also worked
in narcotics investigation, a position that required periods
of undercover work with federal and state agencies. A skilled
investigator, Bernard-McNamara has testified at both the
district and superior court levels. Made sergeant in 1995,
she supervised DARE, domestic violence and community services
personnel and served as a member of several community and
government committees dealing with crime, school violence,
car seat safety and underage drinking. Promoted to lieutenant
in 1999, Bernard-McNamara served as a liaison to the executive
office of public safety; in July 2003, she was promoted to
captain.
“I am pleased and honored in my appointment as the
new public safety director at Holy Cross,” Bernard-McNamara
says. “It is a great opportunity for me to combine
my love of academics and law enforcement, while providing
the College with the benefits of my extensive career background
and experiences. I am looking forward to working within the
collegiate community and with the public safety personnel
in providing an exceptional program, which offers the very
best of services, while ensuring a safe and secure community
for Holy Cross.”
In addition to her work with the state police, Bernard-McNamara
served as community adviser to the graduate program at Fitchburg
State College from 1995-2000, where she helped develop a
new master of criminal justice curriculum. She also served
three years as an adjunct professor of criminal justice at
the college.
Bernard-McNamara holds a law degree from the New England
School of Law, a master’s degree in criminal justice
from Anna Maria College and a bachelor’s degree in
nursing from Fitchburg State College; she also attended the
F.B.I. National Academy and the F.B.I. National Law Institute.
Bernard-McNamara and her husband, William, are the parents
of William, Bernard and Caitlin.
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