Dave Kokinda

David currently oversees the Investigations Division at LUPD and proudly serves as the handler for the department’s first therapy dog, Grace. He lives in Easton, Pennsylvania, with his wife and daughter. David is pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice at DeSales University. Outside of work and studies, he enjoys home improvement projects, hunting, and spending quality time with his family. If you see me and Grace walking around campus, be sure to come up and say hi!

“One of the things I enjoy most about working at Lehigh University is the positive interaction with the campus community. The best part of my day is walking through campus with Grace and having the opportunity to greet students, faculty, and staff. I’ll never forget the first time someone asked me, ‘This is really your job? You get to walk a dog for your job?’—that’s when it hit me how fortunate I am to serve in this role. Being a police officer while also having a K9 partner like Grace is truly a blessing.

Lehigh is rich in tradition, from the annual bed races to the historic Lehigh–Lafayette football game. It’s somewhat surreal to be part of these unique events in a law enforcement capacity. This blend of community, tradition, and purpose makes working here incredibly rewarding and fulfilling.”