New OSU Police Chief Dennis Jeffrey discusses plans for the role
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The Ohio State University has named its next police chief, and the person selected for the job is no stranger to OSU or the surrounding areas.
Dennis Jeffrey, a deputy chief with the OSU Division of Police (OSUPD), will be the division's next chief of police. He said he was "thrilled and really excited" when he received the news.
“I grew up in the shadow of Ohio State, went to Ohio State, two of my three children went to Ohio state, my wife went to Ohio State, so I really feel kind of the connection," he said.
Jeffrey grew up in the Weinland Park neighborhood, which is close to campus. He's worked in policing in central Ohio for about 30 years, 27 of which were spent with the Columbus Division of Police (CPD) before he became a deputy chief with OSUPD in 2022. Part of his time with CPD was spent as commander of the zone that includes the University District.
“I think I want to have my own kind of footprint here but I did 27 years there, so I learned a lot," Jeffrey said. "But I want this to be a very different experience but also go back to some of those experiences if I can help us here then I'll certainly go back to those."
Jeffrey will replace Kimberly Spears McNatt, OSUPD's previous chief, who took a job at another university over the summer. She was with OSUPD for 30 years and spent the last six as chief.
“Chief Kimberly Spears McNatt set the bar pretty high, so I'm hoping to maintain everything she accomplished here and build upon that," Jeffrey said.
Jeffrey officially becomes chief on Nov. 1. He's coming into the job as OSUPD is investigating at least five recent on-campus burglaries. The division is looking into a couple of others and it has not been determined if they are directly related, according to Jeffrey. He said from a public safety perspective, the biggest challenge OSU faces is off-campus crime.
“That’s our biggest concern really is that High Street immediate area," he said. “We’re in a big city so we’re having those issues. So really it's educating our students and staff that we are in a big city, so if you’re not accustomed to that type of environment we really want to educate you.”
There was a national search for the chief position. There were about 30 applicants and four were interviewed, according to a division spokesperson.