Southern Connecticut State University’s Joseph Dooley has been selected as the president of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association for the 2014-15 term, marking the first time that the head of a college or university police force has been named to that position.
A Milford resident, Dooley has served as SCSU’s chief of police since 2006, following a 25-year career with the Orange Police Department. He retired as police chief in Orange, a position he held for four years, after working his way up the ranks. He was that department’s assistant police chief from 1995 to 2002, and had been a lieutenant from 1987 to 1995.
As chief at SCSU, Dooley reports to the university’s executive vice president and is responsible for 27 police officers, seven other full-time staff members and 24 part-time staff members. He is responsible for the safety and security of the students, faculty and staff at the university, which includes about 12,000 people.
Dooley has led SCSU in several initiatives, including the revamping of the university’s Emergency Management Plan, as well as the acquisition of a text messaging alert system and a siren/public address system.
“Chief Dooley has done a wonderful job in enhancing the safety and security of our university,” said Executive Vice President James E. Blake. “He is both an experienced law enforcement official and a consummate professional whose ideas and perspectives are respected both on and off campus. He is truly dedicated to the safety of everyone in our campus community.”
Dooley, a graduate of Notre Dame High School in West Haven, earned a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice administration from the University of New Haven. He also earned a master of business administration degree from SCSU.
He is the recipient of the 2006 Distinguished Chief’s Award presented by the Police Commissioners Association of Connecticut and the 2014 Law Enforcement Torch Run Hall of Fame Award.