New SUU police chief brings ‘proven track record,’ 18 years of local experience to post

Carlos Medina (front), shown here with Cedar City Assistant City Attorney Randall McUne, has been named chief of the Southern Utah University Police Department. He will start his new duties April 1, 2023, undated file photo | Photo courtesy of Southern Utah University Police Department Facebook page, St. George News

CEDAR CITY — After a nationwide search, Carlos Medina has been named Southern Utah University’s chief of police and will begin his new role on April 1.

Carlos Medina has been named chief of the Southern Utah University Police Department. He will start his new duties April 1, 2023, undated file photo | Photo courtesy of Southern Utah University, St. George News

According to an SUU news release, Medina began his law enforcement career as a corrections officer with Iron County and later moved to the Cedar City Police Department. He has served in many capacities including self-defense instructor, SWAT team member, and investigations.

“I am grateful to have been given opportunities to grow, pursue a career in law enforcement and create strong relationships and trust within our SUU campus and local community,” Medina said in a news release. “I look forward to strengthening lines of communication and improving coordination between administration, students, faculty, staff, community and the campus police department.”

Medina has worked with the SUU Police Department for over a decade. His role has evolved from field training officer to interim chief of police and most recently lieutenant, the news release said. He has been actively involved in conducting threat assessments and creating safety plans within the university, as well as working with Title IX, Clery and FERPA.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from SUU and is currently working towards a master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in public administration, leadership and human values.

“Policing at an institution of higher education is unique and comes with its own set of challenges,” said Darin Adams, Cedar City chief of police in the news release. “Carlos intimately understands these issues and has the requisite experience to be effective and progressive for the university and the students who rely on the police department for a variety of services.

“He is community-minded, and I believe has the ability to engage the community, the university and students in the collective public safety efforts.“

SUU’s chief of police provides administrative and management leadership for the University Police Department and Emergency Management. They also work to serve and protect and help shape the overall safety of the campus community, including students, employees, and visitors, as well as their property.

Dr. Jared Tippets, vice president for student affairs at SUU, said he is “thrilled to have Lt. Medina as our new police chief” for a variety of reasons.

“Carlos has a wealth of campus policing expertise and over 18 years of experience in law enforcement,” Tippets said in the news release. “He has a deep commitment to Southern Utah University and a proven track record of successful leadership in his previous roles.

“He is well-respected by the SUU campus community and by other law enforcement professionals in our community. I am confident in his leadership and know he will work closely with the campus community to develop and implement strategies that promote safety, reduce crime, and foster positive relationships between our police department and the students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors we all serve.”

Click here for more information about the SUU Police Department.

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