From left: Chief Craig Branch of Germanna Community College, the immediate past president of VACLEA; VCU Police Chief John Venuti; and Brian Moran, Virginia’s secretary of public safety and homeland security.

June 15, 2016

Virginia’s campus law enforcement leaders honor VCU’s police chief

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By Corey Byers

Virginia Commonwealth University’s chief of police has been honored by his state peers for outstanding contributions to campus law enforcement.

VCU Police Chief John Venuti received the Robert C. Dillard Award on June 9 from the Virginia Association for Campus Law Enforcement Administrators.

According to VACLEA, the award honors “an individual who has made a significant sustained contribution to the advancement of campus law enforcement or security practices in Virginia.” The award is named for retired University of Richmond Police Chief Robert C. Dillard, who served as a leader in campus police professionalism in Virginia for more than 40 years.

“Chief Venuti actively supports law enforcement across the commonwealth, serving on various task forces to reduce sexual assault and raise awareness about mental health issues on campus,” said VACLEA President David McCoy. “As a colleague, he is always available to provide his insight, debate an issue, or assist when needed, which are traits that support the core values of VACLEA.”

Venuti currently serves as VCU’s assistant vice president of public safety. Since starting as chief of the VCU Police Department in 2010, he has implemented numerous initiatives to further the university’s commitment to maintaining a safe, inclusive environment:   

  • In 2012-2013 he oversaw the implementation of an extensive security camera system upgrade that has yielded photographic and video evidence in nearly 1,200 instances.
  • VCU Police launched the LiveSafe app in 2013. The app has more than 12,000 users who can send texts, photos and videos directly to emergency dispatchers.
  • Patrol officers started wearing body-worn video cameras in 2015 in an effort to increase transparency with the community.
  • Since 2012, Venuti has used a perception of safety survey to get detailed feedback about safety concerns from students, faculty and staff. In spring 2016, 97 percent of respondents reported feeling “safe” or “very safe” on VCU’s campuses.


Venuti has more than 30 years of law enforcement experience and previously served in the Richmond Police Department. In 2015, he was named a director of the year by Campus Safety Magazine, a national publication for public safety professionals in education.

 

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