Case Western Reserve today announced the appointment of the university’s first executive director for public safety and security, Frank Demes.
A 26-year veteran of the George Washington University Police Department, Demes will oversee the university’s police and security operations, as well as dispatch, emergency management and the facilities security program. After an extensive assessment of existing efforts over the past year, the university added the new executive director position and combined these functions.
“The environment and expectations for campus safety are ever evolving,” General Counsel and Senior Vice President for Administration Libby Keefer said. “This structure will allow us to coordinate safety programs in a more effective and efficient way, and Frank Demes has the depth of experience to help us capitalize on the opportunities this model offers.”
As part of the changes, former university police chief Arthur Hardee has been promoted to the new position of executive director for police community relations, which also reports to Keefer. Hardee, previously an officer and detective with the East Cleveland Police Department, started at the university before it had sworn officers. He became its first chief when the Case Western Reserve launched a formal department in 2006.
“Our engagement with our campus community and surrounding neighborhoods is an essential element of our efforts,” Keefer said. “Art’s knowledge of the university, coupled with his long ties to greater Cleveland, make him uniquely qualified to assist us in this important task.”
Demes, who starts next month, comes from a department that includes more than 100 police and security officers who serve a university community including more than 25,000 faculty, staff and students. The George Washington University has three campuses, two in Washington, D.C. and a third in Virginia near Dulles International Airport. The department has a strong emphasis on community policing, in particular high visibility of campus patrols and extensive outreach and education programs.
“I am inspired by this opportunity to lead the Case Western Reserve’s safety and security efforts during a time of great expansion and excitement at the university,” Demes said. “I was intrigued by those I met during the search process and look forward to learning more about ways we can serve the campus even more effectively going forward.”