Leadership Team

Chief Robin Griffin‑Kitzerow brings more than three decades of experience to her role as Associate Vice President of Public Safety and Chief of Police at the University of Central Florida, combining extensive law enforcement leadership with deep expertise in psychology.

She recently earned her doctoral degree in forensic psychology, complementing an impressive academic background that includes three master’s degrees—in psychology, public administration, and forensic psychology—as well as a bachelor’s degree in organizational management.

Prior to joining UCF, Chief Griffin‑Kitzerow served as Deputy Chief at Florida Atlantic University and spent more than 20 years in leadership roles with the Palm Beach County School District. There, she developed a proactive threat identification and management strategy designed to prevent incidents before they escalated. She later applied this same approach to further strengthen UCF’s already robust Threat Management Team after joining the agency as Deputy Chief in 2022.

Her leadership extends well beyond campus. Chief Griffin‑Kitzerow recently served as President of the Central Florida Criminal Justice Association and currently sits on the boards of Central Florida Cares and the Central Florida Intelligence Exchange.

She makes history as UCF’s first‑ever “Dr. Chief,” a title that reflects not only her academic achievement, but also her unwavering commitment to service, safety, and developing the next generation of public safety leaders.

Scott Freeman is a distinguished law enforcement leader with 20 years of service at the University of Central Florida Police Department. As Deputy Chief, he provides executive leadership for agency operations and helps guide UCFPD’s strategic priorities, personnel development, and long‑term public safety initiatives.

Scott’s UCFPD career began in 2005 as a civilian Community Service Officer before the department sponsored him to attend the police academy. Upon graduating, he was immediately sworn in as a police officer. He went on to steadily rise through the ranks — serving as a patrol officer, detective in the Criminal Investigations Division, and undercover narcotics agent with the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation Task Force for four years. Over the course of his career, he also held leadership roles as a patrol sergeant, Field Training Officer, and Crisis Intervention Team Coordinator. Scott played a pivotal role in establishing UCFPD’s Special Response Team, a group of specially trained officers prepared for officer and civilian rescue operations during mass‑casualty incidents.

Most recently, Scott served as Major over the Operations Bureau, where he oversaw police operations for both the main and regional patrol divisions, the Criminal Investigations Division, and the Community Outreach Unit.

Scott’s commitment to professional development is reflected in his completion of several prestigious leadership programs through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Florida Police Chiefs Association. He is also a graduate of the renowned 285th session of the FBI National Academy — making him only the second UCFPD officer to earn this honor and placing him among the elite 1% of law enforcement professionals nationwide selected to attend.

A proud UCF alumnus, Scott holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a graduate certificate in police leadership. He recently earned a master’s degree in public safety from the University of Virginia.

Outside of his professional responsibilities, Scott is a devoted husband and father of two future Knights. In his free time, he enjoys yard work and baseball.

James Mangan brings more than twenty-five years of dedicated service to the University of Central Florida Police Department, where he currently serves as Major of the Operations Bureau. In this role, he provides strategic leadership for the Patrol Division and the Special Investigations and Intelligence Division, ensuring effective, responsive, and community‑focused police operations.

Over the course of his career, James has taken on a wide range of responsibilities that have shaped the department’s growth and direction. He played a central role in establishing UCFPD’s threat management program while leading the Criminal Investigations Division, and later strengthened UCF’s presence in downtown Orlando by fostering meaningful partnerships with the Parramore community as Commander of the Regional Patrol Division at UCF Downtown. Recognizing the importance of wellness in public safety, he also created the Critical Stress Management Team and the Peer‑to‑Peer Support Team, expanding support resources for both sworn and civilian personnel.

James has been recognized multiple times for his service and leadership. He is a two‑time recipient of the UCFPD Lifesaving Award and has been honored as the department’s Crisis Intervention Team Officer of the Year as well as MADD’s Officer of the Year.

A proud Knight, James earned two bachelor’s degrees from UCF and is currently in the Criminal Justice master’s degree program at UCF. He is also a graduate of the Southern Police Institute’s Command Officers Development Course, a graduate of the United States Department of Homeland Security Leadership Academy and participated in UCF’s Leadership Enhancement Program during the 2021–2022 cohort.

Beyond his professional commitments, James is a devoted husband and father of two, and he loves supporting the UCF Baseball Knights as a season ticket holder.

Derrick Stockdreher is an established law enforcement leader with nearly three decades of service at the University of Central Florida Police Department. As Major over the Administration Bureau, he provides direction for a wide portfolio of functions, including special operations and events, support services, community outreach and crime prevention, professional standards and training.

Derrick began his career as a patrol officer and advanced through the ranks by fostering collaboration, strengthening team performance, and championing initiatives that support the department’s long-term growth. His extensive knowledge of the university community has allowed him to excel in leading people, building strong partnerships, and coordinating complex operations that meet the evolving needs of both UCFPD and the institution it serves.

A proud two time UCF alumnus, Derrick holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration and a master’s degree in criminal justice, with a graduate certificate in police leadership. He is also a graduate of the Southern Police Institute’s Command Officers Development Course.

Outside of his professional responsibilities, Derrick is a devoted husband and dog parent who enjoys traveling, live music, and spending time outdoors.

Amelia Bray is an experienced law enforcement professional with 20 years in the field, including a decade of service at the University of Central Florida Police Department. As a Captain, she oversees UCFPD’s Support Services Division, which includes Fleet, Human Resources, Procurement, Records and Evidence, and Dispatch. In this role, she ensures that the department’s critical operational infrastructure runs efficiently and supports the agency’s mission.

Amelia began her UCFPD career as a patrol officer and advanced through several leadership positions, including patrol supervisor, Field Training Officer, and leader of the Critical Stress Management Team. Her background reflects a strong foundation in frontline operations, mentorship, and officer wellness.

Before joining UCFPD, Amelia served with the Titusville Police Department, where she worked as a patrol officer and corporal, a Field Training Officer, and a domestic violence investigator. Prior to entering law enforcement, she spent five years in the United States Navy, further shaping her commitment to service and teamwork.

Amelia holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Central Florida and an undergraduate certificate in behavioral forensics.

Outside of work, Amelia is a devoted wife and mother of two daughters. She enjoys spending time in the mountains with her family and their pets.

Captain Gerard “Gerry” Flood is a law enforcement professional with more than 30 years of distinguished experience in public safety. He brings extensive expertise in crisis management, training, and leadership to the UCF Police Department’s executive team. Captain Flood currently oversees UCFPD’s Professional Standards Division, which includes the Training Unit and the Internal Affairs Unit, ensuring the department upholds the highest standards of accountability, readiness, and service excellence.

He joined UCFPD in 2019 as a patrol officer and quickly advanced through the ranks, earning promotion to Corporal in 2021 and Sergeant in 2023, where he led the department’s Training Unit with innovation and excellence. Captain Flood also commands the UCFPD Special Response Team, which supports many of the university’s large-scale events.

Before joining UCFPD, Captain Flood served more than 24 years with the New York City Police Department, spending the majority of his career assigned to the Special Operations Division, Emergency Service Unit, where he gained foundational experience in one of the nation’s largest and most demanding law enforcement agencies.

In 2024, he further strengthened his leadership skills by completing Valencia College’s Public Safety Leadership Development Certificate Program, reinforcing his commitment to continuous professional development.

Captain Flood is a dedicated husband and father. Outside of work, he enjoys staying active by exercising and participating in various outdoor activities.

Captain Christopher Gavette is a law enforcement professional with more than 20 years of experience in higher education policing. He leads UCFPD’s Special Operations Division, overseeing the Community Outreach & Crime Prevention Unit, Special Events Unit, and the Special Response Team, and has previously supervised the main campus patrol and professional standards divisions.

In 2025, Gavette graduated from the prestigious FBI National Academy — a competitive 10‑week leadership, communication, and fitness program in Quantico, Virginia, attended by fewer than 1% of law enforcement officers nationwide.

Gavette began his UCFPD career in 2004 as a patrol officer and later served as a special liaison to the UCF President and as a Field Training Officer. He is a certified high‑liability instructor in defensive tactics, firearms, and Taser, and serves as the department’s senior force instructor. Since 2010, he has also taught criminology for Purdue University Global.

Before joining UCFPD, Gavette served with the Florida State University Police Department. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice and criminology from Florida State University and is a graduate of the Southern Police Institute’s 59th Command Officers Development Course. He is now a member of the FBI National Academy Associates.

Captain Gavette is a devoted husband and father of three. Outside of work, he enjoys cycling and weightlifting, and previously participated in the inaugural UCFPD Police Unity Tour team.

Matthew Scott is a seasoned law enforcement professional who has served the University of Central Florida Police Department for nearly two decades. As a Captain, he oversees the agency’s patrol division for the main campus as well as three regional campuses.

Matthew began his UCFPD career as a Community Service Officer before the department sponsored him to attend the law enforcement academy. After graduating, he became a patrol officer and advanced through the ranks, serving as a detective, supervisor, and presidential liaison. He spent several years as a narcotics K‑9 handler, earning recognition from Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the North American Police Work Dog Association. During his time as a detective in the Criminal Investigations Division, he also served as the agency’s first therapy dog handler and played a key role on the Threat Management Team.

Most recently, Matthew led the regional patrol division, where he built strong, meaningful relationships with the regional campus communities—connections that significantly strengthened trust, improved collaboration, and enhanced the department’s ability to serve and support those campuses effectively. He also oversaw the Community Partnerships Unit, where he revitalized the department’s programming and community outreach efforts.

Matthew is a two‑time UCF alumnus with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice and is a graduate of Valencia College’s Criminal Justice Institute Leadership Academy. He has also served as Vice President Elect and Treasurer Elect of the Black Faculty and Staff Association, acting as a liaison between the organization and the police department.

Outside of work, Matthew is a devoted husband and father of two. He enjoys spending time with his family and creating artwork in his free time.

Pablo Vargas is a dedicated law enforcement professional with 20 years of service at the University of Central Florida Police Department, including over a decade assigned to specialized units. As a Captain, he leads the Special Investigations and Intelligence Division, which includes oversight of the agency’s Threat Management Team.

Pablo began his UCFPD career as a patrol officer before advancing to K‑9 handler, detective, and eventually taking on leadership roles within the department. He was instrumental in establishing UCFPD’s Threat Management Team—an innovative mental‑health and threat‑assessment program that has since become a model across Florida. He has also served as a field training officer and contributes to the department’s recruiting initiatives.

A UCF alumnus with a degree in criminal justice, Pablo was active in the Lambda Alpha Epsilon Pre‑Criminal Justice fraternity during his time as a student. His commitment to public safety earned him a competitive sponsorship from UCFPD to attend the Law Enforcement Academy at Valencia College, launching his career in law enforcement.

Outside of work, Pablo is a devoted husband and father of two who enjoys visiting theme parks and spending quality time with his family.

Joe Thalheimer has been a member of UCF’s Emergency Management team since 2014, originally joining as the university’s first Warning and Communication Coordinator. He later advanced to Manager of Operations and Technology before being appointed Director of Emergency Management in 2019.

Before transitioning into the emergency management field, Thalheimer was a founding staff member at the UCF College of Medicine, serving as Senior Operations Coordinator. From 2005 to 2012, he worked as the Assistant Security Supervisor for the Orange County Convention Center, where he oversaw physical security, transportation planning, and emergency preparedness. His work representing the convention center at the Orange County Emergency Operations Center sparked his interest in pursuing emergency management as a career.

In addition to his professional roles, Thalheimer contributes to several statewide and university-level initiatives. He serves as a Regional Domestic Security Task Force (RDSTF) committee chair and voting member for Florida’s Domestic Security Working Group. At UCF, he is a member of the advisory committee for the Emergency Management and Homeland Security academic program, an advisor to UCF’s Emergency Management Student Association, and the administrator for the Faculty Senate Campus Safety and Security Committee.

Thalheimer is a graduate of the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, along with graduate certificates in Criminal Justice Executive Leadership and Police Leadership. He also completed Valencia College’s Public Safety Leadership Development Certification Program.

Outside of work, Thalheimer enjoys traveling with his wife and three children, attending UCF sporting events, and cheering on the New York Mets.