UIndy hires new chief of police
By James Allen | Entertainment Editor
The University of Indianapolis recently named Michael “Mick” Reddick UIndy chief of police. Reddick replaces Chief Keith Smith, who retired after 18 years of duty.
Reddick joins the UIndy force with over 25 years of law enforcement experience, as well as several missions to global hotspots with the United States Army Reserve. He began his work on July 1 as chief of police and director of campus safety, a title that reflects the evolving nature of security issues on today’s college campuses.
“What he [Reddick] brings to us is this extensive background in law enforcement, coupled with the highest levels of experience in emergency management,” said David Wantz, associate vice president for community relations. “Combine that with his training skills and military experience, and you’ve got the complete package.”
Reddick served with the Marion County Sheriff’s Department from 1980 to 2006, where he has experience in investigations, fugitive tracking, working with judges, court staffs and other law enforcement agencies. His background also includes building security, emergency management and officer training.
With the U.S. Army Reserve, from 1982 to 2007, Reddick has trained local law enforcement in Somalia, Haiti and other nations. Since the invasion of Iraq, he has conducted risk assessments of strategic facilities in Europe, and trained Iraqi troops at a base outside of Baghdad.
Reddick holds a master’s degree in management, and has completed the federal government’s highest level of training in emergency preparedness and incident response.
Reddick, an Avon resident and a graduate of Northwest High School, said his new expanded title compromises of “staying abreast on the world stage as well as locally [when it comes to campus safety].” He said that the position has already laid out a good foundation for him and his department to take the next step in campus safety.
One of Reddick’s first goals is getting his department more unified in its appearance. He has already issued new uniforms for the department and himself. Soon he plans on making the squad cars match in their appearance. The cars are currently different colors, some not even marked.
Along with the appearance of the officers and vehicles, Reddick is looking to change the image of the department.
He said he is encouraging officers to get out of the squad cars more often and walk the grounds. He said he would like to see more interaction with the staff and the student body to produce a friendly, community atmosphere of campus safety.
Reddick said he encourages any students or faculty to interact with the officers and greet them in passing.
There are other smaller but crucial changes that Reddick is seeking to make. Currently the Watchdog alert system currently set up here at UIndy to warn students of danger in or around the campus is only made to send out phone calls and emails to the students and staff.
Reddick is in the process of finding a way to make the system able to send text messages to students so that they can more easily check them in the classroom setting, and not just ignore an unfamiliar number.
He also has plans to set up new alert boxes around the campus, especially around the back of the parking lots around Shelby street.
Another project the police staff will undergo is putting in more cameras in and around the residence halls. This is to protect the student tresspassers who do not have a valid reason to be in the halls. The cameras will also be used to observe areas not easily patrolled. A second phase of the project will place cameras in and around the parking lots.
“It is time for a change,” Patrol Officer Daniel Rhoton said. “I think [Reddick] is the man to do it.”
