UI public safety director to retire

IOWA CITY - The University of Iowa's longtime director of public safety is retiring.

After 20 years at the helm of the UI's Department of Public Safety, Chuck Green will leave the post Jan. 9, the university announced Monday.

Green has been a UI employee for 29 years, including nine years as a manager of security and fire safety with the UI Hospitals and Clinics before taking over as public safety director.

His retirement will cap 39 years of service in the public safety sphere, including 10 years with the Iowa Department of Public Safety as state trooper and with the State Fire Marshal's Office.

Green, in a news release, said he has been honored and privileged to serve the UI community 'and work with so many dedicated and honorable people.”

'Over the last two decades, the men and women of this department have built a program that we can all be extremely proud of,” Green said.

During his tenure, Green led the department through changes in disaster training, the university's response to sexual violence on campus, alcohol rules and enforcement during Hawkeye football games, and controversies involving the UI football and basketball programs.

His efforts have made 'strides in safety planning and disaster training that have become an instrumental fixture on campus,” according to the university.

'Chuck Green has been the consummate professional in the University of Iowa police force,” said Doug True, senior vice president and treasurer for the university. 'The university community has benefited for 20 years from Chuck's leadership, fairness, and calm under pressure, no matter the situation.”

True said the UI community wishes Green 'all the best in his retirement.”

'He leaves the Department of Public Safety better able to protect the campus and resolute in its commitment to transparency and accountability,” he said.

David Visin, associated director of the public safety department since 2006, will take over on an interim basis pending a search to fill the vacancy permanently.