Eastern’s University Police Department has recently filled two administrative positions that had been vacant since spring of 2002 and late fall of 2004, respectively.

Officers Harold Harris and Phil Lang have been promoted to shift lieutenants with Harris covering third shift and Lang covering second shift.

The positions had been open due to retirement and the department felt it was time to fill the top positions, Chief of Police Adam Due said.

The positions as shift lieutenants include the tasks of issuing parking citations, opening and closing buildings, backing up Charleston officers, training officers, scheduling and “making sure things are getting done right,” Harris said.

Harris graduated from Eastern in 1989 with a degree in sociology and went straight to work for the department. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in science.

“I came in straight out of high school,” Harris said. “It’s a great institution, and I decided to stick around (after graduation).

“I’m looking forward to the challenge and serving the campus community. I’m thrilled about the decision.”

The promotions were based on several different categories. Test scores, willingness to do the job and amount of effort were all taken into account, Due said.

“Both (Lang and Harris) are very friendly,” Due said. “They have good character and high standards.

“They know their jobs, they know the campus. Both work well with the staff. We just felt they were the best candidates for the job,” he said.

Harris cites his frequent interaction with students as beneficial to his work with the department.

“I think my educational background and my willingness helped me,” Harris said. “I work a lot with students, and being a student myself, I think I am in tune with the students’ needs.”

Harris said, without looking at the data, he thinks crime on campus is going down.

“Kids are pretty busy with school these days,” he said. “I think it’s the maturity level. It seems like they don’t party as much.”

Lang also began with the department in 1989 and had been working as a night shift sergeant.

Both officers had previously been assigned to the East Central Illinois Task Force and department investigations. Both are currently involved with the Combined Agency Response Team.

Lieutenant Lang is on vacation until next week and could not be reached for comment.