DAN QUAGLIANA
Staff Writer
Brent Isaacson has served as the University Police Chief on campus for the last four years. However, that time is coming to an end as Isaacson will be retiring from his position at the end of June.
“I’ve greatly enjoyed my time at Fredonia,” Isaacson said. “[But] I’ve come to a time in my life where, after 27 years in law enforcement and six in the military, it’s time to spend more time with my wife and family. My wife and I are looking forward to a lot of traveling while we’re still relatively young.”
Before coming to Fredonia in 2019, Isaacson worked in the FBI for 23 years, where he served as the primary coordinator in Western New York for the FBI’s National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime.
During his time here, he worked towards the fulfillment of numerous goals, such as preventing acts of violence on campus and making sure all University Police officers are well-trained.
“Violence is preventable,” Isaacson said. “My personal mission here has been to teach people how to keep our campus safe. … I issued three standing orders to all of UPD when I arrived four years ago: Be honest, be kind and be empathetic. As a result, our officers are trusted and well-liked members of this great campus community.”
As a way of advancing these goals, Isaacson ensured that every officer wears body cameras at all times while on duty, which is a measure that has been broadly supported by students.
While Isaacson is not involved with the search for his successor, Fredonia President Stephen Kolison said that a job announcement is going out very soon.
“I want us to find a chief that would bring that kind of capacity and gravitas to the job, just as Chief Isaacson has done,” he said.
Kolison mentioned that someone might have to serve in the position on an interim basis until a permanent successor can be found.
Vice President for Finance and Administration Michael Kelly is currently putting together a search committee for a new police chief, on which student opinion “is likely,” according to Kolison.
“The search [committee] is important,” he said. “There is an [ongoing] evolution in law enforcement. Criminals are evolving, so we can’t remain static. It’s a dynamic process.”
For his part, Isaacson said that he is “certain the next chief will bring exciting new ideas and new initiatives to UPD.”
Kolison specified that the main goal of the new chief must be to keep campus safe. “The safety of students and staff is primary,” he said. “The next chief needs to remain dynamic to position us to deal with [new] challenges that are emerging.”
As for what message he wants to leave with students, Isaacson stated that, “My hope for our students is that they work hard to be supportive of and kind to each other. … Developing a campus culture with a sense of connection to others and belonging goes a long way to bringing more joy to the student experience.”