Kevin Creegan dropped out of college to become a police dispatcher; 18 years later, the detective is about to get his degree.
By: Marjorie Censer
Kevin Creegan dropped out of college to become a civilian dispatcher for Princeton Borough Police in 1987. Eighteen years later, he’s not only a detective and the 2005 Officer of the Year; he’s also attending his final class at Fairleigh Dickinson University, preparing to receive his bachelor’s degree.
When Detective Creegan first began working for the borough police, he was not even sure he would be able to stay with the department. After two years as a civilian dispatcher, he chose to attend the 26-week police academy in Sea Girt to become an officer. To attend, he needed a job offer and applied to three different departments.
"Why Princeton?" Detective Creegan said. "They were the first to ask."
Detective Creegan was happy to stay in Princeton, because he knew the officers and was comfortable in the department, but he could not have anticipated how long he would stay. He spent 15 years on patrol for the borough before he was promoted two years ago to the detective bureau.
Now, Detective Creegan handles juvenile cases and, as a detective, his focus is on following up on cases.
"Where my old job used to end," he said, "that’s where my new job starts."
As the juvenile detective, Detective Creegan worked on the recent problems associated with gang activity, as well as what he calls "the old stand-by" of drugs. He said he enjoys working with children, because of the opportunity to make a difference.
"If you can deal with a young adult and get through to them, you can change them," Detective Creegan said. "Kids are better. They deserve the chance."
As preventative work, Detective Creegan said he has spent more time in schools, interacting with students. Before his promotion to detective, he worked as a DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) instructor, and he is the department’s liaison to the Princeton Alcohol and Drug Alliance.
Chief Anthony Federico praised Detective Creegan’s ability to work with juveniles.
"Juvenile is an area that you need to have a knack for," Chief Federico said. "He has a natural rapport with children."
The selection committee for the Officer of the Year award agreed. Three officers an administrative officer, a sergeant and a patrol officer make up the award selection committee. They solicit nominations from members of the department and make their own recommendation to Chief Federico, who makes the final decision.
On April 28, the police department honored Detective Creegan during an awards ceremony. His photo will also be posted in a display case, and he will receive a ribbon to be worn on his badge.
The Officer of the Year award isn’t the only honor Detective Creegan will receive this year. When he finishes his class, he’ll receive the bachelor’s degree he’s been working on since 1997 through night classes. Unlike the award ceremony for Officer of the Year, Detective Creegan said he would not attend a graduation ceremony.
"I’ll get my diploma and go home," he said. "At 37, that’s good enough for me."