EUGENE–Thomas Fitzpatrick, a veteran public safety administrator with 28 years of law enforcement experience at the municipal and campus levels, will be the new director of the University of Oregon Office of Public Safety, George Hecht, director of UO Campus Operations, announced Tuesday (Sept. 28).

Fitzpatrick, 55, is currently the director of public safety for California State University-Monterey Bay (CSUMB), a post he’s held since 1994. He will assume the UO position effective Jan. 3, 2000.

Fitzpatrick holds a master of public administration degree from the University of Southern California and a bachelor of arts degree from California State University-San Bernardino. He replaces Stan Reeves, who left the UO in January after three years to become deputy chief of the Vancouver, Wash., Police Department.

"Tom brings to the position an impressive record of community and campus involvement combined with the kind of positive leadership and ability to listen that are vital on our campus," said Hecht. "As a law enforcement veteran who worked his way up the ranks to become a key administrator, he brings to the post a breadth of understanding about the campus environment and its public safety issues."

Fitzpatrick’s selection is the result of a national search conducted by a committee chaired by Linda King, UO director of human resources. The nine-member search panel, with representatives of constituencies including faculty, staff, student and community groups, received approximately 40 inquiries and applications from persons interested in filling the director’s post.

As UO public safety director, Fitzpatrick will head a staff of 45 employees who provide round-the-clock coverage, seven days a week. He will oversee a $3 million annual budget for the department that is responsible for the security and safety of all UO employees and the campus’ physical facilities, as well as for traffic and parking administration, emergency communication and physical security assessment.

"I am excited about the new challenges and opportunities that await me at the University of Oregon," said Fitzpatrick. "This job represents a unique professional opportunity to work at a well-established, quality university to further develop and improve upon the existing public safety programs."

Fitzpatrick plans to meet with a broad range of campus constituents to gain an understanding of the issues and needs for public safety at the UO, in an effort to develop a program that is responsive to those areas.

At CSUMB, Fitzpatrick was responsible for development and administration of all public safety programs at the newly developed campus. Prior to his current position, Fitzpatrick served as the public safety administrator for the California State University system, where he acted as the primary resource for the chancellor, presidents and board of trustees on public safety issues in the 22-campus system.

Previously, he was the community safety coordinator for the City of Cerritos, Calif., where he administered the city’s public safety programs. Fitzpatrick also served as a police sergeant in the City of Simi Valley, Calif. He began his law enforcement career as a police officer with the City of Upland, Calif.

Fitzpatrick, who holds an executive certificate from the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training, served on the board of directors of the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators. He also served as a law enforcement consultant to the University of Alaska at Anchorage and Fairbanks, as well as to the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District.

In addition, Fitzpatrick coordinated the City of Cerritos’ response to a domestic airline crash in 1986, was project manager for development and construction of a City of Cerritos’ award-winning community park, and served as labor negotiator for the California State University System.

A native of Bancroft, Maine., Fitzpatrick is an avid golfer, fisherman and outdoor enthusiast. He currently resides in Marina, Calif., with his wife Alida. The couple has a son, Adam, who is 22.

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