The University of Dayton is making strategic leadership changes in its Department of Public Safety and Division of Safety, Audit, Risk and Compliance, designed to further enhance campus safety and security and strengthen community relationships.

 Effective July 1, key promotions in UD Public Safety department include:

• Assistant Vice President and Chief of Police Savalas Kidd will be promoted to associate vice President of public safety and chief safety officer. With 30 years of law enforcement experience, including eight years of dedicated service to our university, Chief Kidd brings a wealth of expertise and a deep understanding of our community's needs. He will focus on institutional safety and security, emergency management and preparedness, and leveraging advanced technology. He will continue to strengthen and build external partnerships across the Dayton community and on campus, including working more closely with UDit on initiatives like advanced camera software, a strategic drone program, and building access and control systems.
• Major Steve Durian will be promoted to chief of police for public safety. Major Durian brings 25 years of dedicated service to the University demonstrating significant professional development and leadership throughout his tenure. His extensive institutional knowledge and respected standing within the department make him exceptionally qualified for this role. As chief of police, Durian will focus directly on the day-to-day operations of the police department and its officers, while also working to strengthen the department's relationship with the broader university community. He will be ceremonially sworn-in July 22.
• Current Assistant Chief of Police Kevin Petrocelli, a veteran with 30 years of law enforcement experience, will continue in his role in UD Public Safety, overseeing the administrative services of the department.

UD’s Department of Public Safety operates 24/7 with approximately 30 sworn officers and nine communication officers in its dispatch center.

"Savalas Kidd has been a tremendous representative of the university as our chief of police, and this new role will allow him and the university to strategically address safety across our campus community and the surrounding area. This promotion and recognition is incredibly well-deserved for Steve Durian; his decades of service to the University and the growth he has shown commands the respect of university leadership and the department at large," said Andy Horner, executive vice president for business and administrative services. 

This newly structured leadership team will work closely with the executive leadership of the University. 

"The strategic separation of the chief of police role from the associate vice president of public safety position enables a more comprehensive, institutional approach to safety and security," Robin Oldfield, vice president of safety, risk and compliance explained. "This structure will facilitate the enhancement of emergency systems and tools, the implementation of advanced technologies, and a strengthened focus on the student neighborhood."

This change also will help increase community engagement, promote dialogue and build stronger relationships with the University community.

"Safety is a shared responsibility, and these changes are designed to empower everyone in our community to embrace and contribute to a secure environment," University President Eric F. Spina added. "We are confident that AVP Kidd, Chief Durian and Assistant Chief Petrocelli, alongside their talented teams, will continue to serve our university with distinction."

For more information, email mediarelations@udayton.edu.