It is my privilege to serve as UCF's Chief of Police and lead the campus safety and security initiatives that are so critical to our university's mission.

The past four years serving as one of UCFPD's deputy chiefs, along with the 25 preceding years at the Orlando Police Department, have prepared me well for this role. The safety of everyone at UCF is my priority.

The secret to success in law enforcement is there is no secret, says Carl Metzger ’03MS, who became UCF’s new police chief in June after four years as chief deputy.

“Do the right thing, work hard and be prepared,” says the 29-year veteran of law enforcement. “I emphasize the importance of being professional and treating everyone with dignity and respect.

Metzger started his career in 1989 as a patrol officer at the Orlando Police Department, where he rose through the ranks and left the department in 2014 as the patrol services bureau commander.

*UCF ALERT!* TEST! TEST! This is a test of the UCF ALERT Emergency Notification System. This is ONLY A TEST! Conditions are normal, no action is required.

You are receiving this e-mail as part of a test of the UCF Alert emergency communication system.

E-mail updates are one of many ways UCF Alert will help to keep you safe and informed during emergencies. The best source for official news and updates about campus emergencies is the university's main Web site, www.ucf.edu.

Carl Metzger ’03MS, a law enforcement executive with more than 29 years’ experience, including the past four as a deputy chief at UCF, has been selected as the next chief of the UCF Police Department.

Metzger will move into the role effective Friday. He also will serve as an associate vice president, overseeing UCF’s Department of Security and Emergency Management.

On his most rewarding days at UCF, Police Chief Richard Beary ’04MS was protecting football fans at Spectrum Stadium, interacting with K-9s or swearing in UCF’s newest police officers.

On his worst, he was evacuating threatened students from Tower 1 residence hall.

But through his 41 years in law enforcement, there’s been one constant for Beary.

He cared.

And he has taught his officers to care.

Police officers take an oath to protect and serve, and for UCF Police Officer First Class Danielle Hughes ’13, that promise includes going the extra mile for a person in need.

Like when a young man with a history of suicidal thoughts expressed concern about being Baker Acted because he didn’t have anyone to pick him up after the holding period passed. Ofc. Hughes told him she would drive him home, and she did.

The UCF Police Department hosted a ceremony at the Wayne Densch Center for Student-Athlete Leadership to celebrate the department’s achievements in 2017.

Family, friends, and colleagues watched as awards were presented to officers, staff members, and community partners for their loyalty to UCFPD and the UCF community.

Quick-thinking UCF staff helped the UCF Police Department and federal law enforcement partners take swift actions in response to a man who displayed distressing changes in behavior and who owned high-powered firearms.

At no time did this young man directly threaten UCF or anyone at UCF. But the combination of troubling factors warranted a police investigation that concluded with the man being taken into federal custody. He will be sent back to his native China due to a change in his visa status.

Family, friends and UCF Police officers and staff welcomed five new officers to the department on Thursday, March 22.

The swearing-in ceremony was UCFPD Chief Richard Beary’s final one before his retirement in June.

“We want you to be the best you can be,” Chief Beary said to the new officers. “We also want you to be the most ethical and represent this agency and the state of Florida to the best of your ability.”

The new officers are:

UCF will next week host a series of interactive events to raise awareness about safety and well-being.

Safe Knight Week, which runs March 5-8, is an opportunity to learn about self-care, violence prevention and emergency preparedness. The goal for the week is to provide health and safety-related learning opportunities that will be useful during the following week’s spring break and beyond.

The week will kick off with the Safe Knight Week carnival, which will showcase the safety and wellness services at UCF and throughout the community.