The University of Dayton has named Savalas Kidd, a 25-year decorated police veteran, as executive director of public safety and chief of police. Kidd has served as UD's assistant chief of police since 2017.

"Savalas is a well respected and experienced law enforcement executive. He has 25 years of municipal, state and university policing experience. In his time at UD, he has shown an approach to community policing and public safety that is suited to our unique living environment for our students," said William M. Fischer, UD vice president for student development. "I'm confident he'll seamlessly transition into his new role so the department maintains continuity to ensure the safety of our University community."  

Kidd will replace Rodney Chatman, who is leaving the University Feb. 7 to become the chief of police for the University of Utah. Kidd’s appointment begins Feb. 10.

Kidd's promotion was applauded by Student Government Association President Bryan Borodkin as well.

"In my time knowing Savalas, he has always been an incredible leader and police officer. He has demonstrated incredible care for the University and for all students that call it home," Borodkin said. "I truly believe he possesses many of the qualities that made Chief Chatman so incredible, and I have all the confidence Savalas will be an incredible police chief. I look forward to seeing how he will improve campus safety and make this place we all love even better." 

Before coming to UD, Kidd served 12 years in the Ohio attorney general's office where he most recently was an assistant special-agent-in-charge leading statewide unit operations for crimes against children, cybercrimes and human trafficking. From 1995 to 2002, he worked for Springfield and Miami townships in the Cincinnati area as a patrol officer, detective and a community-oriented police officer.

Kidd has received awards or recognition from the Ohio governor's office, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Ohio attorney general's office, U.S. Rep Brad Wenstrup and the Ohio House of Representatives.

At UD, he has been part of several community policing initiatives that helped UD Public Safety garner the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators Award for Innovations in Community Policing in 2018. The association presents the award for significant evidence-based crime prevention programs or initiatives and development of strong community partnership programs. 

"I'm honored the University has placed its confidence in me, and I look forward to building upon the foundation laid in student development and public safety in providing a safe and secure environment for our students," Kidd said.

Kidd also been active in the professional development of others in policing. He has served as an adjunct professor in the University of Cincinnati School of Criminal Justice, a guest lecturer at the Ohio attorney general's capital crimes seminar and Ohio attorney general's conferences, and an instructor at the Butler Technological Public Safety Center and Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy.

Kidd said one of his first priorities will be to start the process to fill the assistant chief position. 

For interviews, contact Shawn Robinson, associate director of news and communications, at 937-229-3391 or srobinson@udayton.edu.