Crystal James recently became the University of Michigan Police Department’s first woman police chief in its 35 years of operation.
James took over as acting chief last year when Robert Neumann was promoted to senior director and chief of operations for the Division of Public Safety and Security. James had previously been deputy chief at the University of Michigan-Dearborn campus.
James expressed that she cherishes the opportunity to command UMPD, saying, “I am honored to take on this responsibility. I have a deep sense of pride. It is a privilege to lead our police and security teams.”
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“They are professional, well-trained, and understand the importance of service,” she said in March in a statement to The University Record.
James said that although her top priority is to keep the campus community safe, she is also equally committed to encouraging community involvement and public service initiatives, The Michigan Daily reported.
“I want to make it a priority to introduce myself to students as they walk across the Diag. I want to chat with morning bus commuters making their way to their labs or offices. And I want to drop into Michigan Medicine’s emergency room to thank the nurses and staff for their hard work,” she remarked.
The pioneer moved to Detroit during her middle school years after being born in Sanford. Following her graduation from Central Michigan University, she pursued a job as a bank teller.
James, however, chose to become a law enforcement officer because she was motivated by a need for challenge and her mother’s history of service as a nurse.
After completing her training at the Detroit Metropolitan Police Academy in 1989, James was hired by the Detroit Police Department. After only two years on the force, James was let go due to budget cuts, and an academy colleague recommended that she apply to join the U-M police department. Her arrival to the department in 1992 made her the second Black female officer.
The University of Michigan reported that in her capacity as chief, James will collaborate closely with partners and school administrators to apply best practices for public safety in an academic setting. She will be in charge of the police, university housing, and museum security operations. She will also oversee crime prevention measures on campus.
