By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
Bowling Green State University has turned to an insider to fill the position of police chief and director of public safety.
In a letter to BGSU faculty, staff and students, Vice President for Finance and Administration Sheri Stoll announced that Michael Campbell, who has been serving as the interim chief since last October, has been named as permanent chief.
The university conducted a nationwide search, eventually selecting three finalists. In addition to Campbell, the search committee interviewed candidates from Northeast Ohio and Ann Arbor.
Campbell took over as interim chief when Monica Moll left BGSU to become director of public safety at Ohio State University. It was Moll who hired Campbell as a patrol captain in April, 2011.
According to Stoll’s message: “In his time at BGSU, his leadership has been critical in creating important training and professional development programs and opportunities for his officers.”
He serves on a number of campus and town-gown committees, including Not in Our Town.
Campbell takes over as the campus is being roiled by complaints about how sexual assaults are being handled by the university.
Campbell participated in press briefings and interviews about the issue, explaining the department’s procedures.
He said on the day of a protest that drew 200 people that he is always looking at ways to improve how the department does things.
During another interview, he said, that his officers will do what they can to assist victims, including accompanying them to the Bowling Green City Police of the assault occurred off campus.
Sexual assault cases, whether or not they are prosecuted, are also investigated by the university’s Title IX office.
After graduating from Adrian College with a degree in criminal justice, Campbell started his career in law enforcement at the University of Toledo.
He has a Master of Science in criminal justice from BGSU.
