Students should expect improved community policing when Western Kentucky University hires a new campus police chief next year, said Brian Kuster, WKU’s vice president of student affairs. 

Kuster is writing a job description for the position, which he said the university hopes to post next month.

“They need to understand what the issues are on a college campus,” Kuster said of the new chief. 

Kuster said there will be more efforts to build up officers’ rapport with students to show them “they’re not there to be the bad guy.”

Officials are searching for a replacement for previous Chief Robert Deane, who retired this year after more than 16 years with WKU. 

Changes are being made after a consultant’s review called for a “new direction” for the department. 

The review 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was low; cooperation between the department and other area law enforcement agencies was lacking; equipment was outdated or lacking; the organizational structure was too top-heavy with no job descriptions for some higher ranking staff; there was a lack of a proper internal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“a huge safety issue” and a “potential liability for the Police Department and the University;” the budget process is outdated; and training was insufficient.

In August, WKU tapped patrol Capt. Mitch Walker to act as interim police chief after Deane’s retirement.

Kuster said he and Walker have met with Capt. John Clark, post commander at Kentucky State Police Post 3; Warren County Sheriff Jerry “Peanuts” Gaines; the Bowling Green Police Department; Warren County Commonwealth’s Attorney Chris Cohron; Tommy Loving, executive director the Warren County Drug Task Force; and other law enforcement officials to improve working relationships. 

There have also been changes within the department, Kuster said. That includes moving personnel into different positions to better match their strengths and hiring two new officers. Kuster said a deputy chief position, which opened up after another retirement, will remain unfilled until a new permanent chief is hired.

Walker said the department created an internal advisory team made up of officers and civilian employees. The group meets weekly to bring up issues and concerns and make department decisions, he said.

“So what it allows is just a lot more employee input in the direction we’re going,” he said.

Another advisory group, made up of students, faculty and staff, is currently forming and will meet quarterly to discuss campus safety concerns, Walker said. The department is also rewarding employees with seniority by letting them pick their shifts, he said. 

The department isn’t waiting until a new chief is named to reach out to students, Walker said. It recently met with students in an African-American fraternity to talk about policing in the black community as part of series of forums, he said. 

“We’re excited about being a part of those forums and building relationships with students,” he said, adding it’s part of “just being more involved with the WKU community.”

After posting the position in November, Kuster said a search committee will narrow the list of applicants to three to five finalists and give the pros and cons of each candidate. That committee is still forming, Kuster said, but WKU Dean of Students Lynne Holland will lead it. Kuster hopes the finalists can meet with local law enforcement and talk about their policing styles through a public forum, he said. 

“I think it’s important that our local partners, local agencies, have an opportunity to interact also,” he said. 

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