Bartolomei named chief of police

Chris J. Bartolomei, a 22-year veteran of campus law enforcement, has been named chief of University Police.

Bartolomei, assistant police chief at UB for the past five years, has served as interim chief since the January 2018 retirement of his predecessor, Gerald Schoenle.

The appointment, effective Dec. 17, was announced today by Laura Hubbard, vice president for finance and administration, who said Bartolomei’s extensive experience and proven record of implementing best practices in policing made him the clear choice after a very competitive national search.  

“Chris Bartolomei possesses the personal attributes and professional experience essential for successful leadership of a police department at a major public research university,” Hubbard said. “He is focused on implementing 21st-century policing practices emphasizing innovation, creativity and community engagement at all levels of the department.

“Moreover, Chris will ensure that positive, culturally competent, police-student interactions will be at the core of UB’s community policing strategy.”

As chief, Bartolomei is responsible for managing, planning and directing the law enforcement activities of 65 sworn personnel and 13 civilian employees associated with UB’s culturally diverse community, which includes more than 36,000 students, faculty and staff across three campuses.

Bartolomei began his law enforcement career in 1996 as a police officer at UB. He became a lieutenant in 2007 and was later promoted to assistant chief of patrol operations in 2010 before becoming assistant chief in 2013.

During his career at UB, Bartolomei implemented programs, policies and procedures that led to accreditations for the UB police department by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) and the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA), respectively. Few police departments have achieved both state and national accreditations.

As chief, Bartolomei said he is eager to sharpen the department’s focus on developing effective community policing partnerships and successfully recruiting a workforce that is as diverse as the UB community.

“During my two decades of service to UB, I have developed a sincere, personal concern for the reputation of this institution and the well-being of our students, faculty and staff,” he said. “I am proud to be part of this university, and I am especially proud of the men and women who protect it. I am truly honored to be afforded the opportunity to serve as their chief.”

A resident of the city of Buffalo, Bartolomei holds a master’s degree in criminal justice administration from Niagara University and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the U.S. Secret Service Dignitary Protection Program. He obtained New York State Teacher Certification after completing his BA in humanities from SUNY Buffalo State.