VCU news

By Michael Kelly

Virginia Commonwealth University Police Chief John A. Venuti has been promoted to assistant vice president for public safety and will oversee the VCU Police Department and VCU Emergency Preparedness operations.

The move, effective Nov. 10, is part of a restructuring process to better coordinate safety and preparedness at VCU. In his new role, Venuti will continue to serve as chief of police with sworn law enforcement status.

“Chief Venuti is deeply committed to campus safety and educating students, faculty and staff about how to remain safe in an urban environment,” said David Hanson, senior vice president and chief operating officer. “He has been an ardent proponent for new and progressive ways to advance safety in our unique educational environment.”

Venuti became VCU’s chief of police in February 2010 following a national search. He had previously served in the Richmond Police Department for more than 25 years, rising to the rank of major overseeing the department’s support services, including the major crimes, cold case, forensics and fugitive units and the force investigation and sexual assault teams.

"I'm extremely proud of our community's progress toward making VCU the safest urban campus in the country,” Venuti said. “In the past three years, VCU Police has enjoyed tremendous support from President Rao and his administration as our department has transformed into a fast, flexible agency that consistently engages the community and exceeds expectations.

“Safety at VCU is everyone's responsibility and as I move into this new role in a restructured public safety organization, I will continue to insist on innovation and collaboration with everyone at, in and around VCU, so we can have 50,000 sets of eyes and ears on duty."

Venuti received his bachelor’s degree in management and leadership from Bluefield College and has completed the FBI National Academy, among more than two dozen law enforcement and management training programs sponsored by federal and state agencies.

Also part of VCU’s public safety restructuring, Assistant Chief Christopher Preuss is now director of police operations and will coordinate the department’s daily operation. Capt. H. Michael O’Berry is assistant director of police operations, overseeing crime prevention, traffic officers, property/evidence and VCU Health System security. Capt. Sean Ingram continues to oversee patrol operations, and the department will seek to fill a vacancy for a captain overseeing support services. Emergency Communications Manager Tanya Brown is interim director of communications and security, overseeing academic security, residence hall security and the department’s on-campus dispatch center.

VCU employs the largest campus law enforcement agency in Virginia and one of the largest in the nation, with 92 sworn officers, more than 200 security personnel, civilian employees, an on-campus dispatch center and an accredited police academy.