VCU news

By Mike Porter

Lt. Christopher Preuss has been named assistant chief of the Virginia Commonwealth University Police Department, one of the largest university police departments in the country with 83 sworn officers, more than 250 security personnel and an accredited training academy. 

Preuss’s appointment, effective April 10, comes after a national search.

“In the two years I’ve been here, I have noticed in Chris Preuss an incredibly strong work ethic, a strong desire not to settle for the status quo and a determination to do what’s necessary to make this a safer campus for students, faculty and staff,” said VCU Police Chief John Venuti. “The VCU administration is committed to the safety and well-being of students, faculty and staff.”

Preuss joined the VCU Police Department in March 1994 as a patrol officer. In 1998, he was promoted to sergeant and commander of the force’s special operations unit, where he led a five-member crime investigation team.  He was designated chief of staff to the chief of police in 2010 and has served as acting assistant chief since October 2011.

“After many years as a criminal investigator, Chief Venuti has encouraged me to diversify my law enforcement experience,” Preuss said. “This promotion allows me to help the department in a different way.”

Preuss graduated from VCU in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He graduated from the FBI National Academy Class 246 in 2011. He also has received four public service awards from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, received a number of awards for meritorious service from the VCU Police Department and the City of Richmond Police Department and was awarded a Henrico County Police Department Police Investigative Citation Award.