By Brianna Wallen
News Editor
As students settle back into campus life after spring break, a new chapter in campus safety leadership is already underway.
Chief Ken Rahn officially stepped into his role as the university’s new chief of police on March 5, bringing years of experience and a strong connection to the campus he now serves.
“It’s a great place to work,” Rahn said. “Even though there was a transition, I still love coming to work and being part of the community here.”
That sense of connection is rooted in Rahn’s leadership. Before arriving at the university, Rahn spent 25 years with the Milford Police Department and retired as deputy chief.
Although Rahn said that transitioning to higher education policing came with many uncertainties, he said it did not take long for him to feel at home.
“From the minute I walked in the doors here, I was welcomed,” Rahn said. “There’s something special about the community here. It’s not just the students, faculty or staff. It’s a very positive environment.”
Following the retirement of former Chief Makiem Miller, the university enters a new but familiar chapter. Since joining the university Police Department in 2019, Rahn has helped guide daily operations and long-term planning. This includes serving as interim chief from 2022-2024.
“When Chief Dooley retired, I was named interim chief while they went through a search process,” Rahn said. “After that, I went back to my position as deputy chief, and now I’ve been selected for the position as chief.”
After changing offices, Rahn is now focused on strengthening both safety measures and the overall campus experience.
Rahn said his approach is rooted in guiding the university in a forward direction based on careful evaluation and steady improvement.
“Anything we have here is fairly new as far as our computer systems or vehicles,” Rahn said.
Rahn also revealed that the department is working to discover more ways to improve security around campus.
“Whether it is the addition of more cameras or card swipes on doors, we’re really looking at not just the campus itself but each and every building,” Rahn said.
Rahn said this proactive approach is also shaped by a broader awareness of national safety concerns.
“Especially in light of tragic events like the shooting at Brown, you always want to take a step back and try to see if there is something we could do better,” Rahn said.
Beyond infrastructure and security measures, Rahn also highlighted the importance of building trust within the campus community.
Rahn said that he views the role of campus police as more than enforcement, emphasizing relationships and daily interactions.
“What we do by design is we want to be part of the community,” Rahn said. “We understand that people come from different backgrounds and have different experiences with police officers.”
That philosophy influences how the department hires and trains officers. This takes full form as officers are encouraged to be visible and approachable across campus.
“When you’re face to face and having an interaction and dialogue, that brings trust with people, and it breaks down barriers,” Rahn said.
One of the most visible examples of this approach is the department’s K-9 program, which has become a familiar and comforting element for many students.
“Bringing in the K-9s was part of that,” Rahn said. “We’ll walk through campus with the dogs, and people won’t even say hi to us. They’ll go straight down on one knee and play with the dogs, but then the interaction takes place.”
What starts as simply petting one of the dogs often builds into something more meaningful.
“Now, we have students that come here just asking to see the dog if they have a stressful week,” Rahn said.
At the heart of Rahn’s approach is a focus that goes beyond policies and procedures, centering instead on the everyday experiences of students navigating campus life.
For him, success is measured not just in safety, but in how supported students feel during their time at the university.
As Rahn begins this next chapter, his vision goes beyond policies and procedures.
Instead it is centered on the everyday experiences of students navigating campus life.
Specifically, Rahn wants to ensure that the police department is an organization that students can turn to not just for emergencies but as a steady and helpful part of their college experience.
“We want them to understand that our goal is to support students in their journey through college,” Rahn said.
