Hernandez Named UTSA’s Chief of
Police
 I
am pleased to announce that Mr. David Hernandez, currently the
commanding officer of the Special Investigation Section in the Rochester
(New York) Police Department, has accepted the position of director of
public safety and chief of police at the university. He will begin
his duties at UTSA by mid-January.
He has more than
20 years of law enforcement experience, an exceptional educational
background, and proven leadership skills. Mr. Hernandez will serve the
university well as chief of police, responsible for the leadership,
planning, implementation, management and operation of the university’s
police department.
UTSA’s police
department includes 48 officers, 20 guards, 8 dispatchers and 10 support
staff. The department is responsible for providing safe and secure
environment for the more than 30,000 members of the university community
at the three campuses.
Chief-designate
Hernandez has served as platoon commander for the Rochester Police
Department, where he oversaw patrol duties for the department. He also
has served as commanding officer of the Special Services and Technical
Support Division and deputy chief of the Administrative Bureau.
He earned his
bachelor’s degree in sociology from Hobart College and a master’s degree
in public administration from the State University of New York in
Brockport. Mr. Hernandez is a 2004 graduate of the FBI National
Academy.
There was a large
pool of applicants, with 115 candidates vying for the position. Nine
candidates were invited for a campus visit and were interviewed by the
interview team, the college deans, myself and others.
Please join me in welcoming David
Hernandez to the university, and join me as well in thanking Assistant
Chief Dan Pena for his superb leadership and direction of the police
department during the search process. His leadership in the adoption of
a new career ladder and incentive program for the police officers and
dispatchers, his unswerving loyalty and professionalism speaks volumes
about his integrity and love for his officers, staff, and this great
university.
And finally, my thanks to the
interview team for their time and dedication in interviewing and
evaluating the candidates, to all the others involved in the search
process, including my excellent administrative staff for their continual
high level of service to me and to all of our internal and external
customers.
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