ABIGAIL JACOBSON
Staff Writer
CARPENTER
During the summer, most dorms were empty and left open for new students to move into in the fall. An office in Gregory Hall was also left empty.
Brent Isaacson, former University Police Chief retired Jun. 30 after being here since 2019.
“He was a really, really good chief,” said Charles J. Holder. “I’m very sad to see him go.”
Charles J. Holder is the emergency planning coordinator for SUNY Fredonia. He’s been here for about five years.
Since Isaacson’s retirement, SUNY Fredonia has been on the lookout for a new police chief.
Holder filled that position until a candidate was found.
“When Chief Isaacson retired, they asked me to step up and take over the position until the new chief has been brought in,” Holder said.
But now, the search is over.
Gordon Thomas Carpenter has been selected to be SUNY Fredonia’s new police chief.
He will take office on Sept. 11.
The process of selecting a new chief can be a complex process.
The search for the new police chief had certain requirements ranging from preferred requirements such as a Master’s degree, being familiar with the SUNY Fredonia campus and knowledge of certified police departments.
The search can last several months. If a candidate isn’t found by the end of the timeline, the process starts over.
“It [the process] has happened before on campus where they kind of start from scratch again,” said Holder.
Before Carpenter was selected, several people have applied and have been offered to see the campus. Only a few followed through.
When arriving on campus, candidates meet with the university police officers and some student groups. They would have lunch with students and engage in conversation, and also meet with SUNY Fredonia President Stephen H. Kolison and Vice President David Starrett.
Once the day is over, it is then up to the president and vice president to make a decision.
Once Carpenter enters office on Sept. 11, Holder will return to his old position.
“I was a policeman before,” said Holder. “So [it was] kind of fun to get back into the swing of things.”
Many of us might be thinking, “what will the new police chief bring to Fredonia?”
Holder said the goal is “[To] improve community engagement with the student body.”
He went on to comment about how many students have had poor relationships with police officers from where they are from.
“I want to break down that barrier,” said Holder. “And I hope this new police chief does that.”
Ricky Laurito, a University Police officer, gave his input on what he would want the new police chief to bring to SUNY Fredonia.
“To kind of bring more of a positive impact between the students and the faculty and staff as a whole,” said Laurito.
Fredonia students have shared a similar sentiment.
“I would hope a new chief means having structure in terms of safety and [introduces] his own ideas of handling things on campus,” said Pedro Martinez, a junior psychology major at SUNY Fredonia. “I think it would also be cool to see UP interacting with people on campus, with students.”
We welcome new police chief Carpenter to SUNY Fredonia.
Featured Image by NICOLE THORSON | Art Director