Behind every badge is a commitment to serve β€” a commitment two new officers now carry forward at ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½.

Surrounded by family, friends, colleagues and university leaders, the officers were sworn in during a ceremony that marked not just a personal milestone, but the (ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½PD)’s continued growth and commitment to service.

β€œΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ is a special place and working in public safety here takes a special kind of person,” says ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ Police Chief Robbin Griffin-Kitzerow. β€œIt takes someone who genuinely cares, who shows up every day with a heart for service, and who is committed to the safety and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff.”

Ross Wolf, interim dean of the College of Community Innovation and Education and associate provost of ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ Downtown, reflected on the ceremony’s significance, drawing on his recent retirement from policing after 34 years of service in both full-time and reserve roles.

“My law enforcement career instilled in me a deep respect for this profession and for the camaraderie, commitment and sense of purpose that define it,” Wolf says.

ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½PD’s two newest officers will join the patrol division after completing a field-training program, where they’ll work alongside senior officers and gain hands-on experience out in the field before graduating to solo patrol.

Get to Know the New Officers

Brittany Lopez

Having previously served with the Clermont Police Department as both a patrol officer and a detective, Brittany Lopez brings a strong foundation in law enforcement to ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½. She was drawn to ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½PD for its culture and the unique community it serves. With a master’s degree in cybercrime from the University of South Florida, Lopez is driven by a desire to help students make informed choices that support their future success.

Daira Yulfo-Vargas ’25

Joining ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½PD is a full-circle moment for Daira Yulfo-Vargas ’25. After moving to Orlando to attend ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½, she began as a police explorer while earning her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. She later served as a ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½PD cadet and, through departmental sponsorship, completed the police academy, graduating among the top academic performers in her class. Now she returns to serve her alma mater as a ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ police officer, committed to supporting students and advancing the department’s safety mission.

Celebrating Promotions

The ceremony also recognized four individuals taking on new roles within ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ Public Safety.

Corporal Melissa Guadagnino

Community Outreach and Crime Prevention Unit

Corporal Melissa Guadagnino has been a vital part of ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½PD for more than 12 years, including nine years as a detective. In that role, she worked alongside her therapy dog, Chipper, providing investigative support and comfort to victims during difficult moments. She’s also served on the Emergency Response Team through dozens of deployments and instructed crisis intervention and patrol investigator programs. Now part of the Community Outreach and Crime Prevention Unit, Guadagnino continues to lead with dedication and heart, making an impact.

Jennifer Floyd

University Physical Security Manager

During a time of significant staffing transitions, Jennifer Floyd played a critical role in maintaining operations while supporting major security initiatives. She coordinated hundreds of maintenance requests and led a campuswide security camera upgrade, overseeing the replacement of more than 500 cameras to strengthen ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½β€™s safety infrastructure. Floyd also led nearly 50 training sessions, helping ensure teams have the knowledge and confidence to effectively manage and maintain essential systems.

Benita Harrison

Administrative Operations Manager

Benita Harrison supports departmental leadership with professionalism and exceptional integrity. She manages daily operations, chairs multiple committees and oversees all department-led events, playing a key role in ensuring smooth transitions. Her attention to detail and ability to create meaningful experiences are felt at every level across the organization.

Tiffany Ortiz

Dispatch Supervisor

Tiffany Ortiz brings a deep understanding of communication operations. Known for delivering organized, accurate and dependable work, she’s respected by both her peers and patrol officers for her collaborative, supportive approach. In her new role, she led a full revamp of the dispatch training program, updating the manual, strengthening the curriculum and enhancing skill development to better prepare team members for long-term success.

Together, these new officers and newly promoted leaders represent ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ Public Safety β€” united by a shared commitment to serve, support and safeguard the campus community.

He will succeed incoming Chief Robin Griffin-Kitzerow, whose promotion was announced earlier this month. Griffin-Kitzerow shared her enthusiasm about continuing to work alongside Freeman.

β€œIn the last few years, I have come to know Scott as an incredibly hard worker who genuinely and deeply cares about our agency, personnel and community,” says Griffin-Kitzerow. β€œHis heart for service is present in everything he does.”

For Freeman, the appointment is a deeply personal milestone β€” one that reflects years of dedication and professional growth.

β€œI am both honored and humbled by this opportunity,” says Freeman. β€œWith a steadfast commitment to excellence, I will work tirelessly to support our officers and strengthen our bond with the community we proudly serve. Together, we will continue to raise the standard of care and keep our campus safe.”

A Journey of Service

Freeman’s career at ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½PD began in 2005 as a civilian community service officer before the department sponsored him to attend the police academy. Upon graduation, he was immediately sworn in as an officer. Over the years, he steadily rose through the ranks β€” from patrol officer to incoming deputy chief β€” serving in various investigative roles, including four years with the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation Task Force.

Most recently Freeman served as major over the Operations Bureau, where he oversaw police operations for both the main and regional patrol divisions, the Criminal Investigations Division and the Community Outreach Unit.

Among his many professional accomplishments, Freeman completed esteemed leadership programs through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Florida Police Chiefs Association. He also graduated from the prestigious 285th session of the FBI National Academy β€” becoming only the second ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½PD officer to do so and joining the elite 1% of law enforcement professionals nationwide selected for this honor.

A proud ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ alumnus, Freeman holds a bachelor’s degree in and a graduate certificate in police leadership. He also recently earned a master’s degree in public safety from the University of Virginia.