Lt. Martin and Capt. Tarmann taking their oath at a Sept. 9 promotion ceremony.
Two members of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Police Department were recognized Sept. 9 in a historic promotion ceremony.
Chris Tarmann, a nine-year veteran of the department with 11 years in law enforcement, was named the first captain on the UW Oshkosh police force. In his new role, Tarmann will oversee mission, vision and policy–and serve as second in command at the UW Oshkosh Police Department.
Tarmann graduated with a bachelor’s degree in human services and began his UW Oshkosh career as a Community Service Officer in 2001. Tarmann then rejoined the UW Oshkosh Police Department as a police officer in 2008, and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 2011.
“I’ve been in law enforcement for 11 years and this is the fist time I’ve ever had a ceremony,” Tarmann said in front of administrators, staff and his family during the Sept. 9 ceremony. “I’m excited to be a part of our department. I think we’re moving in the right direction. I think our goal is to be the best university police department in the country.”
“It’s great to have a new title, but it’s really about getting the work done,” Tarmann said.
Trent Martin, a nine-year veteran of law enforcement, also was promoted at the ceremony to the rank of lieutenant. Martin started his law enforcement career as a Community Service Officer and as a police officer for the city of Prairie Du Chien in 2007. Martin joined UW Oshkosh in 2010 and was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2013. Martin is a graduate of UW-Platteville and holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
Chancellor Andrew Leavitt spoke with pride at the promotion ceremony, saying it is important to pause and reflect on the good work of the UW Oshkosh Police Department.
“I’m very pleased with this police department. We are making big and rapid changes,” Leavitt said, acknowledging the recent realignment of the department into the administrative services division at UW Oshkosh.
“We’ll end up having a better department aligned with emergency management functions. I think we’ll be the best university police department in the country when we get done with the improvements we are making,” Leavitt said.
A retooling of emergency management efforts at UW Oshkosh is underway. University Police are leading those efforts.
“I view these people as educators–they work with a unique population to keep us all safe,” Leavitt said. “I love the attitude our police department has to make sure we have teachable moments.”
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