Strategic Communications and Marketing News Bureau

Cary to lead U of I Division of Public Safety, serve as police chief

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Alice Cary is the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s next executive director of public safety and chief of police.

A 34-year veteran in law enforcement, Cary currently is the chief of police at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. The appointment takes effect July 20 and is subject to approval by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees.

In her current university law enforcement leadership role, she created a dedicated Campus Outreach and Support Team that engages with the campus and the greater community to build trust through establishing personal relationships, improving communications, operating transparently and demonstrating a commitment to serving all people.

“Chief Cary has demonstrated a commitment to community policing and public engagement,” Chancellor Robert Jones said. “She has collaborated with university officials, local law enforcement and other stakeholders to implement policies and practices to enhance efficiencies and maintain a strong focus on the safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors.”

At the University of Maryland, Cary implemented the 21st Century Policing approach founded on building trust and legitimacy, policy and oversight, training and education, community policing and crime reduction, technology and social media, and officer safety and wellness.

Cary earned a master’s degree in criminal justice management from Colorado Technical University and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Ferris State University.

Prior to her current job, she was a patrol operations captain for the University of Oregon Police Department; a criminal investigator with the Lane County District Attorney in Eugene, Oregon; a state trooper with the Wyoming Highway Patrol; and a deputy sheriff or police officer with several departments.

Craig Stone, executive director of public safety and chief of police at the U. of I. since June 2018, departed in January.

Editor’s note: For additional information, contact Patrick Wade, communications director, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Division of Public Safety, 217-265-0028, pwade@illinois.edu.

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