August Washington

Chancellor Daniel Diermeier hosted an online all-community meeting on March 29 to discuss the tragic shooting at The Covenant School. Diermeier was joined by fellow university leaders, who offered insight into campus safety policies and procedures, shared resources for mental health and processing traumatic events, and answered questions from the Vanderbilt community. Read More

An assessment team from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. will examine all aspects of Vanderbilt University Public Safety’s policies and procedures, management, operations and support services as part of an accreditation process that occurs every four years. As part of the assessment, VUPS personnel and members of the community are invited to offer comments, commendations and other information regarding the agency’s quality of service. Read More

Formed in 2007, the K-9 program of the Vanderbilt University Police Department has worked to make campus not only a safer place—through their training to detect explosives and narcotics—but a healthier and more welcoming environment as well, thanks to a more recent emphasis on community engagement.   Read More

As faculty and students planned for the start of spring classes, Vanderbilt University staff worked diligently to prepare for the semester as well as ensure that members of the campus community were as safe as possible during winter weather earlier this month. Read More

Cleo Rucker says elevating the One Vanderbilt spirit of cooperation and collegiality across all departments is among his top priorities as the university's chief human resources officer. Read More

Vice Chancellor André Churchwell, Vice Provost William H. Robinson and Senior Associate Vice Chancellor August Washington will discuss Vanderbilt University's role in eliminating racial disparities in public safety in an online event on Wednesday, Dec. 2, from 6 to 7 p.m. Read More

Vanderbilt University Public Safety is committed to keeping the VU community safe while never infringing upon the right to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly, writes Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Safety and Special Initiatives August Washington. Read More

In the wake of George Floyd’s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer and subsequent protests for racial justice in a number of cities, the university will host a series of listening sessions for students, staff, faculty and postdoctoral scholars. Read More

August Washington has been appointed senior associate vice chancellor for public safety and special initiatives. He will oversee all aspects of Vanderbilt University Public Safety while working directly with Vice Chancellor Eric Kopstain on Division of Administration initiatives focusing on equity, diversity and inclusion as well as workforce development. Washington also will direct efforts to recruit the university’s next chief of police. Read More

Construction and utilities work is planned to begin in December to bury overhead utilities in preparation for new residential colleges and a beautification effort along the West End corridor of Vanderbilt’s campus. Read More

Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos today announced the creation of the Community Oriented Result and Expectation (CORE) Committee—a group that primarily will comprise Vanderbilt University community members who will meet regularly to make recommendations to the university’s police department regarding safety and security on campus. Read More

Rick Burr, a major with the Vanderbilt University Police Department, will take on a larger role at VUPD as its new assistant police chief, effective July 1. Read More

With plans to draw on August Washinton’s more than 30 years of experience in college law enforcement, Tennessee State University President Glenda Glover has enlisted Vanderbilt’s associate vice chancellor and police chief to assist TSU in further developing its campus safety enhancement plan. Read More

August Washington, associate vice chancellor and chief of the Vanderbilt University Police Department, has been named Middle Tennessee Chief of the Year by the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police. Read More

Vanderbilt University Police Department chief August Washington has been promoted to associate vice chancellor and chief of police, Vice Chancellor for Administration Jerry Fife has announced. Read More

State legislators are holding off taking action on a bill that threatens the standing of Vanderbilt University Police Department to protect the Vanderbilt campus. Read More

Legislation under consideration by state lawmakers that would strip Vanderbilt University's right to field a commissioned police department as long as it enforces its nondiscrimination policy was called “constitutionally suspect” by the state attorney general. Read More

Police Chief August Washington and Corey Slovis, chairman of emergency medicine, headed to Legislative Plaza to voice opposition to a bill in the Tennessee State Legislature that threatens the ability of the Vanderbilt Police Department to protect the campus. Read More

Vanderbilt University Police Department has successfully earned reaccreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. Read More

The new 24-7 communications office will be available for emergency walk-up day or night. Read More