Colorado State University Announces New Police Chief

Colorado State University today announced that Dexter Yarbrough, chief of police at University of Wisconsin-Parkside, has accepted the position of chief of police that was vacated by Donn Hopkins in February of this year.

Yarbrough holds a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement administration from Western Illinois University and a master’s degree in public administration from the Illinois Institute of Technology. Yarbrough is a decorated veteran of the Chicago Police Department, serving in his last position as Community Policing Liaison. He has been chief for the University of Wisconsin- Parkside Police Department since September 2000.

Chief Yarbrough served a six-year term as a member of the board of trustees at Western Illinois University from 1995 through 2001. He was the youngest person and the only law enforcement officer to hold this position at a major Illinois university. He is one of 39 successful black men featured in "Face Forward: Young African American Men In A Critical Age," a book featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show.

Earlie Thomas, chairman of the search committee and director of Environmental Health Services at Colorado State, said, "Dexter is an exceptional young man and a wonderful asset to our university. We are pleased that he will be joining the Colorado State community." Nearly 70 applicants were reviewed for the position.

Bob Chaffee, interim chief of police at Colorado State, said, "Dexter reflects the energy, commitment and concern for students and his employees that will help us continue to successfully serve our community."

Chief Yarbrough will begin his duties at Colorado State on Sept. 1.