Kevin Williams knows his way around a college campus. After all, the married father of four has earned three college degrees. And, with the addition of his son’s two degrees this month, the family total has climbed to 13 degrees.
Now, as University of Michigan-Dearborn’s chief of police and director of public safety, he’s working to make the campus environment as safe as possible for all. For Williams, that means creating a culture of respect.
“I strongly believe in the academic law enforcement model. In a campus environment the police department is not an occupying force. We are partners with faculty, staff, students and university leadership,” Williams said. “And our goal is to support our most valuable stakeholders, our students.”
What does that look like on campus? Williams envisions officers out on patrol—on foot or bikes—engaging with the community. The results, he says, will encourage an environment in which students, faculty, staff and visitors feel valued and are open to communication and collaboration.
Williams says the foundation for a highly engaged community already has been laid.
“This is a model institution,” he said, noting UM-Dearborn consistently is ranked the safest four-year public university in Michigan. “We will continue to build upon those practices that helped us get to where we are today and will move us further in that direction.”
Williams’ career spans more than three decades and has included work in higher education, city and county appointments. Before arriving at UM-Dearborn, he served as police commander at Arizona State University. He was director of public safety and chief at University of Oregon, captain and division commander for the Lane County (California) Sheriff’s Office and served in a variety of capacities during 20 years at the Los Angeles Police Department.
Now the Detroit native and Cass Tech alumnus is ready for the next chapter to begin at UM-Dearborn.
“I’ve had a variety of experiences and I love what I do,” he said. “I consider it an honor to be working here at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. I’ve come home.”
