Ohio University announced its new chief of police over Winter Intercession, making him the fifth person to hold the title in about eight years.
Andrew Powers, currently the assistant director for emergency preparedness at Miami University's Environmental Health and Safety Office, will make $87,600 as the new head of campus safety and OUPD. He begins work today.
I'm very excited to be here
at this wonderful university with a lot of opportunity he said.
His resume includes 10 years as a lieutenant for Miami Police, where he also worked as a dispatcher, officer and sergeant from 1990 to early this year. He graduated from the school with a bachelor of arts in sociology in 1993.
Powers mostly focused on special projects and administrative work before leaving for the emergency preparedness position about a year ago, said Miami Police Chief John McCandless.
I think you definitely need to be organized to do the job well he said. I'm sure he'll do the same job there that he did here
which is a good one.
Assistant Vice President for Safety and Risk Management David Hopka, who conferred with Vice President for Finance and Administration Bill Decatur about the decision but ultimately had final say, said Powers received high marks from a search committee and constituent groups.
(He had) outstanding relevant experience at Miami University. We think he really understands the role of a university police department
Decatur said.
Powers' confidence, communication skills and experience make him an excellent choice for the job, Hopka said.
It's certainly going to be a new challenge to transition to the position. I'm not going into this thinking it's something easy to do
but I'm confident in us all working together
Powers said.
Although the chief position has changed hands six times in about eight years, Powers said he believes he will have an extended stay here.
I was very encouraged by everyone I met on campus
I can't imagine why I'd want to look elsewhere in the near future
he said.
His duties now include managing the $2.5 million budget for the Department of Campus Safety and developing OUPD.
Powers said the similarities between Miami and OU make the switch easier, but he will spend some time adjusting to the new department and students.
Obviously any transition has some challenges
I'll have to replace my red clothes with green clothes
he said.
