Tyler Krenzin
Lantern Staff
Sgt. Jason Kenney was announced as the new Chief of Police on campus, according to a press release on Friday, Oct. 7. Kenney replaces former Chief of Police Tim Bryan who resigned in August of this year.
Chief Kenney has worked at Butler for two years now, after 24 years of service in the U.S. Air Force. Chief Kenney went through a hiring process just like any other candidate, an interview process that consisted of a panel of nine people including administrators.
Safety on campus has been a major concern by the community as of late, and Chief Kenney wants to let the community know that he and his staff are on top of it.
“We want to make sure everyone feels safe on campus,” Kenney said. “I want (students) to be confident that they are safe here.”
Kenney describes policing for the college as “100 percent community policing” and that it is all about building a rapport with the community.
Kenney also wants the students to know that students and staff will see officers out of the cars and will be walking around much more. This will create a professional appearance and allow the officers to build a relationship with the students on campus, according to Chief Kenney.
Kenney says that his doors will always be open, not just to students on campus, but to any students and faculty. He is willing to hear what concerns any student might have.
According to some students, drugs have been a problem on campus, and Chief Kenney would like to let the students know that there will be a zero-tolerance policy in regards to drugs on campus.
The change in leadership on campus is welcoming as we enter next semester with no question of who will be the chief of police on campus will be.