The University’s Department of Public Safety’s nation-wide search for a new deputy chief ended with the appointment of a 17-year Eugene Police Department veteran.
Carolyn McDermed spent her first day in a DPS uniform on Monday. Prior to her appointment, McDermed worked in law enforcement for 24 years, reaching the rank of lieutenant at EPD.
McDermed will oversee patrol operations at DPS, and will work with community programs to create a campus culture and environment that is educated about personal safety measures and crime prevention techniques, according to an e-mail DPS Chief Kevin Williams sent to the University community Tuesday.
In the e-mail, Williams said McDermed’s long work history in Eugene will benefit the University community.
“Her professional law enforcement skills and exceptional knowledge of the University and greater Eugene community are tremendous assets,” he said. “She possesses a passion for community policing and communication that align well with the Department of Public Safety.”
“I have a strong desire to work with community, and help people help themselves,” McDermed said.
McDermed’s appointment comes after a significant revamping of DPS. The department now employs a total of 25 uniformed staff members, 18 of whom are officers, Williams said.
The DPS transformation, Williams said, resulted from the University wanting better services from the department. One of his main goals at DPS is to expand its presence on the campus and to make DPS more “visible” to students and the University community. He explained that during the hiring process, his main objective was to find people who work well with students.
“I looked for people to follow my vision of why we are here,” Williams said. “And, we are here to serve.”
In addition to making DPS more visible, Williams said there is greater diversity in DPS as it relates to gender and ethnicity. Specifically, he said four DPS officers are women, the most the department has ever employed.
Williams said he looks forward to students and members of the University community becoming acquainted with officers on a first-name basis.
Williams also said he wants to extend the presence of DPS to more athletic events, so officers can be there in support of the institution. Creating a presence at athletic events, Williams said, is consistent with his mission to make DPS visible and to serve the University.
“Students, faculty and staff will be very pleased with the additions as they encounter them in the fall,” he said.
McDermed said she is excited to begin working with students and in the University community. “Students have great ideas and they are our future,” she said. “We need to listen to them.”
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