Vice President of Finance and Administration Jamie Moffitt announced that Doug Tripp, the executive director and chief of the Department of Public Safety has stepped down from his position. Tripp graduated from the state basic police academy on June 15, according to the DPS website. Carolyn McDermed, who was acting chief while Tripp was at the academy, will be the interim executive director while they search for a replacement.
Here’s the email that went out to the deans’ listserv on June 21:
Message on Behalf of Jamie Moffitt, Vice President for Finance and Administration –
 
Campus Communication
 
Doug Tripp, executive director of the UO Department of Public Safety and chief of police, has informed me of his plans to return to the Midwest in order to move closer to his extended family.  Given the importance of the University’s police department transition plans, Chief Tripp has stepped down from his leadership role so that the University of Oregon can select a permanent replacement who will see this transition through to completion.  I have asked Carolyn McDermed to serve as interim executive director and interim chief, effective immediately, while a national search is conducted for a permanent police chief.
 
Until Chief Tripp secures a new position in the Midwest region, I have asked him to serve in an advisory capacity, assisting me with specific issues related to police department transition planning.
 
I want to thank Chief Tripp for his years of service to the UO.  He has been instrumental in helping define and lead the transition from a campus public safety department to a sworn police force.  We wish him well in his future endeavors and appreciate his current effort to ensure a seamless leadership transition for the department.
 
In addition to running the department’s day-to-day operations, Interim Chief McDermed will be tasked with continuing the University’s police transition until a permanent police chief is named.
 
The University of Oregon remains dedicated to implementing a community-oriented and trust-based policing model that addresses the unique safety and security needs of UO students, faculty, staff and visitors.  The staff of the Department of Public Safety has shown a strong commitment to these ideals and I know that they will continue to deliver on that promise under Interim Chief McDermed’s able leadership.
 
Jamie Moffitt
Vice President for Finance and Administration & CFO University of Oregon