O'Connor new director of Public Safety

Former chief Luippold working for DMR

by Sarah R. Buchholz, Chronicle staff

Barbara O'Connor

arbara O'Connor is the new Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Campus Life Javier Cevallos announced May 15.

     Former chief of police John W. Luippold, Jr. resigned from his position in mid April after a 6-month leave of absence. O'Connor had been acting chief of police since Luippold went on leave.

     "I am delighted that she has accepted the position," Cevallos said. "During these last few months, she has faced a lot of challenges and she has overcome them with a lot of energy, a lot of care and a lot of caring.

     "I think the department and other people support her, and we are lucky to have her."

     O'Connor has been with the department since 1983 when she started as a police officer. She rose through the ranks first as a sergeant, then as a lieutenant, becoming deputy chief in 1995.

     Luippold had been with the department since 1973 and also started as a police officer.
"It was an honor having been part of the University and the University Police Department for 24 years," Luippold said. "It's a great place with great people."

     Luippold had come to campus as a patrol officer and had moved through the ranks, finally serving as director of Public Safety and chief of police for 10 years before going on leave Oct. 1, 2001.

     During his tenure, Luippold oversaw the installation of a tip line, the investigation of a rash of reported assaults in the fall of 1999 and a handful of student deaths, the safety education of incoming students, and the creation of a mounted police force. He served as spokesperson for the department, not only with the external public, but also internally, with students. He participated in the Amherst Community Problem-Solving Partnership and in efforts to promote traffic safety on campus, increasing the latter after two students died in traffic accidents during the 1998-99 school year.

     Luippold is now senior investigator at the Western Massachusetts Regional Office for the Investigation Division of the Department of Mental Retardation.

     Cevallos said the precise date when O'Connor will begin her position permanently had yet to be determined but that it would be "soon."

Reception for Luippold

     A reception to recognize former chief of police John W. Luippold, Jr.'s 25 years of service to the Police Department and the University is scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday,

     May 24, in the Massachusetts Room of the Mullins Center.

     The event will include a cash bar and hors d'oeuvres.

     RSVP to Dede Beach by phone (5-2125) or e-mail (dbeach@admin.umass.edu).
Anyone wishing to contribute to a gift is requested to send a check payable to chief of police Barbara O'Connor in Dickinson Hall.