Western Kentucky University tapped a patrol captain to serve as interim campus police chief following the retirement of Chief Robert Deane. 

Mitch Walker, who has 26 years of law enforcement experience, immediately began his duties Thursday with meetings across campus. Walker said being named interim chief was “very humbling.”  

Walker replaces the outgoing Deane, who had been with the department for 18 years. 

“We appreciate his service and what he has worked to accomplish here at WKU,” Walker said of his predecessor. “He always had our best interest at heart. He’ll be missed.” 

The announcement follows a consultant’s report last month that cited issues with low morale, staffing and policy requiring a “new direction” for the department. 

“I’m excited about the challenges that we’re facing,” Walker told the Daily News after the announcement Thursday. “I’m just thankful that I was asked to serve in the role, to serve the WKU community and the WKU Police Department.” 

The analysis, requested by Student Affairs Vice President Brian Kuster, turned up a range of problems with the department. 

It found that morale in the department was low; cooperation between the department and other area law enforcement agencies was lacking; equipment was outdated or lacking; the organizational structure was too top-heavy with no job descriptions for some higher-ranking staff; there was a lack of a proper internal communication system; there were issues with how many hours personnel are working in a 24-hour period that present “a huge safety issue” and a “potential liability for the Police Department and the University;” the budget process is outdated and training was insufficient.

WKU has already taken steps to address the issues, including the Board of Regents approving a $5,000 salary increase for officers effective July 1. 

Kuster told the Daily News on Thursday the university won’t wait until a permanent police chief is found to start making improvements. 

“We’ll start working with the troops as far as identifying areas of improvement,” he said. 

A request for comment from Deane on his retirement and Walker’s promotion received no response. 

Following the release of the report, Deane questioned its analysis.

He said in a statement the analysis “contains many untruths, exaggerations and inaccuracies.” Deane also said in the statement he was not given an opportunity to respond to the allegations.

This week Kuster praised Deane as “professional” and “dedicated” to WKU over his tenure as chief. 

As for Walker, he plans to spend his first week on the job meeting with all the staff, followed by individual meetings. From there, he wants to start focusing on making changes to department’s organization and implementing changes based on department priorities. 

“My role is just to use the assessment as a guide and not a mandate,” he said, adding he wants to include input in the change process. 

“The assessment talked about us being too top heavy,” he said. “So what we’ve done is move some positions from the administrative part to patrol and started to put more emphasis on patrol.” 

Ultimately, Walker said the department wants to do more community-style policing “in that we’re interacting with the students, faculty and staff here at WKU.” That includes improving relationships with other law enforcement agencies. Walker said hiring more police officers could help with those goals. 

Walker retired from the Bowling Green Police Department in 2012 and has been with the department for four years. He anticipates remaining interim chief for about four months while a new permanent chief is located. 

Kuster said that process will involve a committee made up of people in and outside of the university. That committee will make recommendations to fill the job. 

In the meantime, Kuster said “Our first priority is to continue what we’ve been doing as far as serving the Western community. … 

“We’re anxious to get this semester started and prepare for the future,” he said. 

— Follow education reporter Aaron Mudd on Twitter @BGDN_edbeat or visit bgdailynews.com.