Lee E. Griffin, former director of public safety at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo, and IACLEA president from 1986-1987, died on February 2, 2010, after a long battle with lung cancer.
Griffin spent more than 23 years working for SUNY. Prior to his work in campus law enforcement, Griffin worked as a trooper in New York for 10 years. He was also active in the SUNY Police Chiefs Association and instrumental in the change to full police status for the University system’s 28 departments.
“IACLEA mourns the loss of Lee Griffin, who was a dedicated leader during a period of change and growth for our profession and our Association,” said President Marlon C. Lynch. “We extend our deepest sympathies to Lee’s family and those who worked with him at SUNY Buffalo.”
During his term as IACLEA President, Griffin worked to get IACLEA a seat on the director’s board of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). Although that’s something he and his administration were not able to accomplish, IACLEA was able to attend IACP’s conference in Toronto.
“We broke down some barriers,” he recalled in an interview. For Griffin, his presidency was all about breaking down barriers. He and the Presidents both preceding and following him placed an emphasis on continuity. Griffin, along with Charles Lamb and Asa Boynton, structured their presidencies as part of a three-year-plan.
Griffin said the three felt that every time a new president took office, IACLEA lost some momentum. With the three-year initiative, he said, “We weren’t just starting over again.” He added, “We were able to complete a lot of committee work that might not have gotten done.”
Notable achievements during Griffin’s tenure as President included a decision by the board to restructure Annual Conference planning responsibilities and transition the professional development and logistical planning and coordination from the host committee to a new Professional Development Committee. The Board also allocated funds for a membership survey during his year as President.
Griffin’s relationship with IACLEA stretches back more than 30 years. Prior to becoming President, he served on the Board of Directors and was a Regional Director from 1979-1983. Griffin made it his personal goal to increase membership in New York and Pennsylvania. He did just that. He was honored at a recognition ceremony and received an award for bringing in new members.
“The Association began to grow and I’d like to think that I had something to do with that,” Griffin recalled during an interview for IACLEA’s 50th Anniversary book.
During the interview, Griffin also expressed his belief that IACLEA continue to strive for growth. He said it is important that IACLEA remains consistent, yet also strive to bring a better end product to members. Moreover, Griffin said IACLEA continues to be an asset to so many colleges and universities.
“On campuses, the problems are cyclical,” he said, explaining that campuses rarely have unique problems. He said that instead, IACLEA offers an abundance of expertise and experience; specifically best approaches to problem solve.
After his retirement, Griffin remained busy; both on and off campus. He did consulting work and volunteered for the American Red Cross. He also did disaster relief work after Hurricane Katrina.
A memorial service for Lee Griffin will be held on Saturday February 13, 2010 at 9:00 AM at the Dengler Roberts Funeral Home, 8630 Transit Road, East Amherst, NY. Interment will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 4000 Elmwood Ave., Tonawanda, NY. Please direct any inquiries to University of Buffalo Police Department at (716) 645-2228.
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IACLEA Feb. 4 press release
