Daniel Pena began his tenure at UTSA in 1983.
(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.
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