IUPD hires new deputy superintendent and chief law enforcement officer

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The Indiana University Police Department has hired a new deputy superintendent and chief law enforcement officer.

According to a press release, Anthony Williams will be the first person to fill the newly-created role. He will lead the law enforcement operations at all nine of Indiana University’s campuses in the Hoosier State.

Per IUPD, Williams will also help set performance standards and develop and implement new policies for law enforcement on IU’s campuses.

“Deputy Superintendent and Chief Williams has a track record of building trust and positive relationships within the police department and the communities he serves,” said IU Associate Vice President and Public Safety Superintendent Benjamin Hunter. “He is deeply committed to transparency, community engagement and our mission of providing the greatest possible degree of safety for all members of the IU community.”

Williams was previously a police lieutenant of operations at Northwest Missouri State University. According to IU’s press release, Williams spent 15 years at NMSU. During his tenure there, he expanded the university police department’s mental health initiatives. Williams also partnered with a third-party agency to embed a licensed counselor with NMSUPD.

In an interview with FOX59 and CBS4, Williams said community mental health outreach will continue to be a priority for him. He believes some of the biggest safety issues college students in the U.S. face are related to mental health.

“The biggest, in my opinion, is just mental health,” Williams said. “COVID has really (affected) a lot of us in those ways because we were stuck in our houses.

“We know the onset of mental health during those college years and coming into college, moving away from home, from family. So, I’ll say for me that’s one of the biggest.”

Per IU, Williams graduated from the FBI National Academy and has multiple degrees from NMSU, including a master’s in business administration.

“I’m humbled and excited about the opportunity to join Indiana University,” Williams said via release. “I’m ready to share my experience and passion for policing in a higher-education environment with IU and looking forward to engaging with the IU community.”

Williams joins IUPD after a string of protests were held at Dunn Meadow on IU Bloomington’s campus this spring. During those incidents, more than 30 people were arrested by Indiana State Police.

“I think what the folks have put into place now is something that they evaluated and continue to evaluate,” Williams said of the protests and IU’s response to them. “I just want to make sure I’m part of that and be able to assist and make sure students can safely do what they need to do to express themselves. We can provide a high-level service to make sure the campus is safe.”

Aug. 1 will be Williams’ first day with IUPD. The university engaged executive search firm Spelman Johnson during its national search for a deputy superintendent and chief law enforcement officer.

Per IU, finalists for the job met with students, faculty and staff during the selection process.

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