Venuti promoted to associate vice president for public safety for VCU and VCU Health

Share this story

Virginia Commonwealth University Police Chief John Venuti has been promoted to associate vice president for public safety for VCU and VCU Health.

John Venuti
John Venuti

In his new position, Venuti will provide institutional public safety oversight and strategy for VCU and VCU Health. He also will advise the university and health system leadership and partner with the local community on a wide variety of institutional safety, policy and compliance matters, as well as emergency response and planning.

“Under John’s leadership, VCU Police has become known for its responsiveness and strong community partnerships,” said Meredith Weiss, Ph.D., vice president for administration for VCU. “He transformed VCU Police into a national leader in campus safety.”

In Venuti’s nearly nine years as chief, the VCU Police Department has prioritized partnership, collaboration, customer service and engagement. Since 2010, VCU Police achieved accreditation with the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, became the first campus law enforcement agency in Virginia to receive designation as a certified crime prevention campus, was the first in Virginia to implement the “You Have Options” sexual assault survivor program designed to increase reporting of sexual assault, and became the first agency in the Richmond metropolitan area to implement body worn cameras for officers. These and other efforts have resulted in an improved safety culture with more than 95 percent of students, faculty and staff reporting they feel safe or very safe on VCU’s campus and a decrease in officer use of force of more than 66 percent.

Venuti will continue to serve as VCU’s police chief until the position is filled. VCU is conducting a national search to fill the position.