University of Wisconsin Oshkosh administrators have named Kurt Leibold as the University’s new police chief, effective Feb. 1, 2016.
Leibold comes to UW Oshkosh from the City of Milwaukee Police Department, where he serves as assistant chief of police. He brings with him from Milwaukee more than 25 years of progressive law enforcement and leadership experience.
Leibold has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Concordia University Wisconsin. He is also a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command as well as the Senior Management Institute for Police.
“Kurt’s philosophical foundation and strengths lie in community policing, which is consistent with UW Oshkosh’s values and mission,” Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Petra Roter said.
Roter calls Leibold “personable and approachable” and said she believes he will be a strong force in the continuous development of relationships and partnerships on and off campus.
“Leibold has demonstrated a commitment to diversity and inclusion and he’s innovative—all will be assets as he takes on the role as leader of the UW Oshkosh Police Department,” Roter said.
UW Oshkosh’s police chief oversees and manages the University Police Department, which is dedicated to providing a safe environment conducive to personal growth and educational development. The chief also advises campus on security and safety initiatives and serves as a community collaborator to enhance safety on and around campus. UW Oshkosh’s police chief oversees the staff of 14 personnel, including lieutenants, patrol sergeants and officers, a detective, dispatchers and student employees who serve as community service officers.
“I look forward to building upon the foundation of community policing that has already been established by the previous chief and the existing leaders at UW Oshkosh,” Leibold said. “My community policing philosophy encourages officers to develop relationships within the police department, the University and throughout the city to resolve issues affecting our communities.”
“I believe in creating a working environment that is positive and offers employees opportunities for personal and professional growth. Together we will continue to develop a well-respected, innovative and values-based organization that will make the community proud.”
Leibold, along with his wife and three sons, look forward to relocating to Oshkosh, he said.
Leibold succeeds Joseph LeMire as permanent chief, who went on to serve as police chief at UW-Milwaukee in July, and Christopher Tarmann, who served as interim police chief, will remain a lieutenant with University Police.
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