VCU news

By Michael Kelly

VCU Police and Virginia Tech Police have partnered for a two-week officer exchange, a first-of-its-kind program giving a patrol supervisor from each department the opportunity to work with colleagues in a campus environment that is different from their own. While the two departments serve communities with similar populations, their campuses are vastly different. The traditional campus structure of Virginia Tech, located in the town of Blacksburg, contrasts sharply with VCU’s undefined, urban campus in the heart of downtown Richmond.

“Collaboration and innovation have been two of the elements that have helped define the image and culture change within the VCU Police Department,” said VCU Police Chief John Venuti. “In the world of policing you must be fast, flexible and always be open to find new ways to remain effective and, more importantly, to rediscover yourself so that you remain relevant. Looking to explore, learn and see how others in the same vocation do business is always helpful in achieving these goals.”

From Oct. 16 through Oct. 27, Virginia Tech Police Sgt. Derek Hutchison is patrolling VCU’s campuses with Sgt. Joel Abernathy. Hutchison also attends administrative and leadership meetings within VCU Police and with their partners at the Richmond Police Department.

Both departments hope to gain insight and knowledge from having an outsider’s perspective on their agency. Officers and administration are also learning from each other’s successes in community policing, outreach, education, engagement and enforcement.

VCU intends to send a patrol supervisor to Blacksburg to work with Virginia Tech Police in the spring semester. Plans are being made to create similar arrangements with other campus law enforcement agencies throughout the state.