University police chief position made temporary
CHICO » Over 100 faculty and staff of Chico State signed a letter urging President Gayle Hutchinson to cancel the search for a new University Police Department chief because of various concerns.
“I am moved by those concerns especially given the recent killings of three unarmed Black Americans,” Hutchinson wrote in an email to the campus community, specifically referencing George Floyd, Breona Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery.
She and university Vice President for Business and Finance Ann Sherman met with the key writers of the letter on June 13. After listening to their concerns, a decision was made to modify the University Police Department chief appointment from a permanent term to a two-year interim assignment.
In the letter, the search was described as insufficient, so Hutchinson took to reviewing the timeline for the search and determined that it aligns with search procedures used for position recruitment.
On Nov. 26, John Reid, former chief of the department,
announced his retirement effective at the end of May 2020. The search for a replacement began on Feb. 17.
An external search firm was hired, the same firm the Chico Police Department used to find its interim chief. This was done to carefully select two chiefs who would be compatible with each other, Sherman said. A campus search committee was also assembled.
All involved parties met March 11 to discuss priorities of the selection criteria based on Chico State’s current strategic plan. A candidate pool was selected.
The campus switched to online learning March 25. Because of the pandemic, Reid agreed to extend his retirement date to the end of June. The chief position description was updated and posted nationally March 27. During the latter half of May, the campus search committee reviewed applicant files and conducted interviews with six semifinalists. Two finalists were selected and interviewed on June 8 and 9.
The favorite candidate participated in four onehour sessions with the search committee, Academic Senate Executive Committee, a student forum and a faculty and staff forum. He prepared a presentation that addressed his philosophy and experience with equity, diversity and inclusion on a university campus. A question and answer period followed.
Hutchinson wrote in the email that concerned faculty and staff mainly wanted an examination of University Police Department policies, procedures and practices so as to identify any structural and behavioral racism that might exist.
“I support this request wholeheartedly. In fact, dating back to fall 2016, I called for a review of UPD policies and practices. The results of that review led to the appointment of UPD Police Chief John Reid, who has provided steadfast leadership to university police officers and staff as they worked daily to promote campus safety through proactive, progressive, and professional law enforcement and educational policing services,” Hutchinson wrote. “I truly believe that all of us are committed to improving campus safety policies and practices so everyone,
especially our communities of color, feels valued and safe and has opportunity to thrive on campus.”
To stop the search altogether “wasn’t really feasible given the demands of that particular role,” Sherman said.
The department is a function for the campus emergency activation, a liaison to the Chico Police Department and Butte County Sheriff and District Attorney’s offices, provides guidance on large campus events and more.
That is why the two-year term was instigated. It allows for more time to cast vision for what the role should be, while essential duties are still fulfilled.
“It is really important that the University Police Department be seen to have legitimacy, and we indeed need to make sure some of the key stakeholders are involved in the process,” Sherman said.
The man selected was the top finalist at every stage of the selection process. Sherman said he cannot yet be announced because he’s currently undergoing a background check.
He does not mind that the role has been switched from permanent to temporary, Sherman said.