Office of the Chief

John N. Vinson, Ph.D., became the University of Washington Police Department Chief in February 2009. Chief Vinson holds a Ph.D. in public administration from Western Michigan University and came to us with 15 years of law enforcement experience, including ten years of supervisory and administrative experience. Chief Vinson holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Central Michigan and a master's degree in administration. He is also a graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy.

Under his leadership, the UWPD has further developed its community-oriented approach to policing. He created the Office of Professional Standards & Training, moved the department to sector patrol, and has made professional development and accountability the foundation upon which UWPD employees build their careers. During his tenure, the department created an anonymous tip-line (206.685.8477), developed a Facebook page and established an increased police presence in the buildings students most often frequent by staffing information desks at the HUB (Student Union Building) and in the Odegaaard Undergraduate Library.

You can reach Chief Vinson at 206.543.0521 or you can email him at vinso1jn@uw.edu.