Four finalists selected for UWPD police chief

A search committee of faculty, staff, students and community members has selected four finalists for the position of University of Wisconsin–Madison chief of police.

The 13-member committee, chaired by Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs Ray Taffora, selected:

• Gregory Habeck, assistant chief of police, UW-Milwaukee Police Department.
• Thomas Phillips, chief of police, Northern Illinois University.
• Kristen Roman, captain, City of Madison Police Department.
• John Vinson, chief of police, University of Washington Police Department.

The UW–Madison chief of police leads the UW Police Department and supports the university’s mission as it works to maintain and enhance safe learning and work environments. The chief, who reports to the vice chancellor for finance and administration, directs all department functions and operations and works closely with UW–Madison administration, faculty, staff and students to address problems and strengthen the campus community.

Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Laurent Heller said each candidate will give presentations to the campus community and general public. Times and locations of the presentations will be announced as soon as they are scheduled, Heller said.

The selected candidate will succeed Susan Riseling, who served as UW–Madison chief of police for the past 25 years. Riseling retired in August. Brian Bridges is serving as interim chief.

In addition to Taffora, members of the search and screen committee include Brooke Schenk, College Library; Tom Broman, professor, History of Science; Jeff Novak, director, University Housing; Derrian Jones,  assistant director, Division of Information Technology; Adam Whitehorse, associate dean for business services, School of Pharmacy; Lori Berquam, vice provost/dean of students; Karen Soley, captain, UW Police Department; Paul Connell, senior counsel, Wisconsin Department of Justice; Tyriek Mack, student; Christian Conway, student; Walter Dickey, deputy athletic director; and Ruben Anthony, president and CEO, Urban League of Greater Madison.