EAST LANSING — Michigan State University’s new president announced Friday some major leadership changes that include combining two positions so that Mike Yankowski, a former Lansing police officer and chief, can step into a new top security role.
Kevin Guskiewicz, who has spent several months leading MSU, said he is restructuring the university’s Department of Police and Public Safety, effective Nov. 11, under Yankowski, who will serve as “chief of police and executive director of public safety.”
Guskiewicz is “recombining” the roles of the campus’ chief safety officer and the chief of police in the process, he said in a release. ”
“Campus safety is one of my top priorities, and the Department of Police and Public Safety, or DPPS, plays a vital role in creating a campus environment that is safe and welcoming for all,” he said. “It is important that there is one leader for the university’s full campus safety and policing efforts.
“Campus safety efforts beyond traditional policing such as building access, emergency response and security infrastructure are vital components to providing a safe campus. All these efforts, however, must be interconnected with one clear leader across both police and public safety.”