O'Connor sworn in as police chief

by Daniel J. Fitzgibbons, Chronicle staff

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Campus Life Javier Cevallos applauds Barbara O'Connor after swearing her in as police chief and presenting her with her stars on May 30. Below, O'Connor returns a salute from her officers. Stan Sherer photos

he last few years have not been happy ones for UMass Police officers. Protracted contract problems and the death last year of Lt. Mike Grabiec cast a pall over the department.

     But the blues were all smiles May 30 as "street cop" Barbara O'Connor, a 19-year veteran of the department, was sworn in as chief during ceremonies at the Mullins Center. And nobody in the room had a bigger grin than O'Connor, who served as interim chief and director of Public Safety since last October, when her predecessor, Jack Luippold, took a six-month leave of absence. Luippold resigned in April.

     Outgoing Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Campus Life Javier Cevallos administered the oath to O'Connor as her husband, Amherst Police Lt. Robert O'Connor, two sons and her father looked on.

     Cevallos called the new chief "absolutely a professional and absolutely a caring person," qualities he said are "crucial in a university police department."

Barbara O'Connor

     As evidence, Cevallos cited UMPD's handling of an April 29 occupation of his office by pro-resident assistant union activists - an incident that led to the arrest of 35 protesters. The vice chancellor said, "The conduct of officers during the Whitmore arrests demonstrated respect" for the students involved in the sit-in.

     But perhaps the strongest praise for O'Connor came from officer Patrick Archbald, who represented the police union.

     O'Connor's approach as interim chief emphasized inclusion and cooperation, said Archbald, and morale among the officers "increased significantly" under her leadership.

     According to Archbald, O'Connor faced this year's budget cuts head-on, making the "decision that no blue uniform would be cut."

     Archbald also hailed the new chief for being in the front lines during the Whitmore protests and subsequent student disturbances. "She has proven through words and actions that she will lead the department in positive directions," he said. "Barb is someone who will always remember what it's like to be a street cop."

     Following O'Connor taking the oath, the assembled UMass, Amherst and Amherst College police officers saluted the new chief.

     O'Connor returned the salute and heaped praise on her troops.

     "You are why I took this job," she told the officers. "I look forward to taking this department places we've never been. It's going to be quite a ride."

     O'Connor also paid tribute to her husband and sons for supporting her as chief and as a student at Western New England College School of Law.

     She also said her father and her late mother helped influence her decision to accept the permanent appointment. "My dad would've been really disappointed if I didn't take the job," she told the audience. "My mother told hundreds of people I was going to be chief."
O'Connor said she is dedicating her law degree to her mother, whose own opportunities were limited but encouraged her daughter to push the envelope.

     O'Connor joined the Department of Public Safety as a police officer in 1983 and was promoted to sergeant in 1987. For five months during 1992, she was on leave to serve as acting chief of security at Mount Holyoke College. She was promoted to lieutenant in 1993 and was named deputy chief of police in 1995. O'Connor has received a number of commendations and other awards during her career in law enforcement.

     O'Connor received a bachelor's degree in criminology with honors from Westfield State College and a master's degree in Labor Relations from the University.