SUU Names Lieutenant Carlos Medina as Chief of Police
Published: March 27, 2023 | Author: Kenzie Lundberg | Read Time: 3 minutes
After a nationwide search, Carlos Medina has been named Southern Utah University’s chief of police and will begin his new role on April 1, 2023.
"I am thrilled to have Lieutenant Medina as our new Police Chief,” said Dr. Jared Tippets, vice president for Student Affairs at SUU. “Carlos has a wealth of campus policing expertise and over 18 years of experience in law enforcement. He has a deep commitment to Southern Utah University and a proven track record of successful leadership in his previous roles. He is well-respected by the SUU campus community and by other law enforcement professionals in our community. I am confident in his leadership and know he will work closely with the campus community to develop and implement strategies that promote safety, reduce crime, and foster positive relationships between our police department and the students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors we all serve."
Chief Medina has worked with the SUU Police Department for over a decade. Over the years his role has evolved from field training officer to interim chief of police, and most recently lieutenant. He has been actively involved in conducting threat assessments and creating safety plans within the university, as well as working with Title IX, Clery, and FERPA.
He began his law enforcement career as a corrections officer with Iron County and later moved to the Cedar City Police Department. He has served in many capacities including self-defense instructor, SWAT team member, and investigations.
“I am grateful to have been given opportunities to grow, pursue a career in law enforcement, and create strong relationships and trust within our SUU campus and local community,” said Chief Medina. “I look forward to strengthening lines of communication and improving coordination between administration, students, faculty, staff, community, and the campus police department.”
SUU’s chief of police provides administrative and management leadership for the University Police Department and Emergency Management. They also work to serve and protect and help shape the overall safety of the campus community, including students, employees, and visitors, as well as their property. Chief Medina is tasked with the development of a seamless leadership team, the financial management of all operations within the SUU Police Department, the supervision and development of professional staff, and the ongoing development of long and short-term goals and objectives. He will also play a lead role in the institution’s response to crisis/emergency management.
“Policing at an institution of higher education is unique and comes with its own set of challenges,” said Darin Adams, Cedar City chief of police. “Carlos intimately understands these issues and has the requisite experience to be effective and progressive for the University and the students who rely on the Police Department for a variety of services. He is community-minded, and I believe has the ability to engage the community, the University, and students in the collective public safety efforts.“
Medina earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from SUU and is currently working towards a master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in public administration, leadership and human values.
SUU Police is home to six full-time officers that provide safety resources, emergency response, and a variety of services, like fingerprinting, to the campus and surrounding community. Learn more about SUU’s Police Department.
Tags: Staff SUU Police Student Affairs