(Aug. 18, 2017) -- Daniel Mark Pena, a 34-year veteran of The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Police Department, has announced his plans to retire. He currently serves as the Assistant Chief of Police for UTSA. He oversees major components of the department including the patrol, investigations, and support services divisions.
Pena began his tenure at UTSA in January 1983 after serving at UT Austin from 1978 to 1982. He has held various positions including patrol officer, sergeant, lieutenant, captain and assistant chief.
Pena has been instrumental in many impactful initiatives during his service to UTSA. He was a critical driver of UTSA PD’s accreditation process through the Commission for Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) in 2008. CALEA’s 2017 reaccreditation process took place this summer. In 2010, he also assisted with UTSA PD’s accreditation process for the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA). UTSA holds the distinction of being dually accredited.
He implemented the UTSA emergency notification system and the Giant Voice outdoor broadcast system to provide mass notifications to the UTSA community during campus emergencies. He developed the Emergency Operations Center to serve as UTSA Emergency Response Team’s emergency management control center.
Pena designed building security systems for new campus buildings as well as renovation of existing buildings. Elements have included electronic access control, security video and alarm monitoring. He coordinated the installation security cameras and emergency telephones in campus parking lots to increase security, prevent crimes and identify criminal offenders.
In 2007, Pena project managed the renovation of the Bosque Building to provide a new home for the UTSA Police Department. He completed an upgrade of police radio communications to ensure interoperability with local emergency response agencies including SAPD, SAFD, EMS, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, FBI and FEMA.
He holds certifications for master peace officer, law enforcement instructor, firearms instructor and crime prevention specialist through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. He is also a graduate of the UT System Police Academy, the FBI National Academy and the D. Stafford Advanced Clery Academy.
Pena was also the 2011 recipient of the UTSA Order of the Roadrunner Award, the highest honor a UTSA staff member can receive for dedication to the UTSA community.
In retirement, Pena plans to travel and spend time with his family. He hopes to indulge in astronomy, his favorite hobby, using the telescopes he built in his garage. Although he suspects that his wife’s to-do list may take precedence for a while.
Assistant Chief Pena's last day is August 31. Captain Daniel J. Kiley will serve as interim assistant chief of police effective September 1.
The UTSA community is invited to celebrate Pena’s service to UTSA at a retirement reception on Wednesday, August 30 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Business Building University Room (BB 2.06.04). RSVP by August 23 to Taniesa Williams at 210-458-4249 or taniesa.williams@utsa.edu.
Learn more about the UTSA Police Department.
Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.
UTSA Today is produced by University Communications and Marketing, the official news source of The University of Texas at San Antonio. Send your feedback to news@utsa.edu. Keep up-to-date on UTSA news by visiting UTSA Today. Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram.
At this memorable celebration, UTSA graduates will be introduced one-by-one to cross the stage and accept their doctoral degrees.
Arts Building Recital Hall, Main CampusRoadrunner Walk is an event for graduating students to have a memorable walk on campus to celebrate an important milestone and their achievements. Graduates will walk along the Paseo while being celebrated by the UTSA community, friends, and family members.
Student Union Paseo, Main CampusJoin us for a tribute to Willie Velásquez, honoring the legacy of Willie Velásquez, a pivotal figure in shaping the history of Latino and Hispanic participation in the American voting process. Delve into his life and contributions as a champion of Latino voting rights. Moderated by UTSA's Teresa Niño, the event will feature influential voices, including Jane Velásquez, María Antonietta Berriozábal, Dora Oliva, and Anthony Gonzales.
Buena Vista Building, Gregory Luna Room, Downtown CampusCelebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.Celebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .
The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to promoting access for all. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.