Yale Univ. Names Black Police Chief

NEW HAVEN, CT – Yale University President Richard Levin has announced the appointment of Ronnell A. Higgins as Chief of the Yale Police Department.

Higgins, who will be sworn in as Police Chief on February 4, brings to his new role extensive leadership experience in law enforcement. Since 2008, Higgins has served as Assistant Chief of Yale Police. In this role, Higgins has been responsible for day-to-day operations of the police department. Through his work, Higgins has developed a keen understanding of the university, its administration, and various departments and student groups. He has also maintained strong relationships with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, Secret Service, and U.S. State Department.

Higgins has also been instrumental in developing crime reduction strategies through community engagement, partnering with the New Haven Police, and development and support of the men and women of Yale’s police department.

“I have benefitted personally from Ronnell’s wise counsel during some of the most difficult security and policing matters in recent years,” said Levin.

Higgins began his career as a correction officer for the State of Connecticut, and was named correction officer of the year in 1996 by the Correctional Emergency Response Team (CERT) of the Bridgeport Correction Center. Higgins joined Yale as a police officer in 1997, after which he was assigned to the street crime unit, then promoted to Sergeant/Assistant Patrol Coordinator, Assistant Investigate Services Coordinator, Assistant to Patrol Commander, and Lieutenant/Patrol Commander.

Higgins earned a B.S. in law enforcement administration from the University of New Haven, and he is currently working towards his M.B.A. at Post University. He also received extensive law enforcement training, including the FBI’s Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia and the Executive Development Institute at Northwestern University. Higgins also has a certificate in Criminal Justice Education from the University of Virginia, and he is a graduate of the FBI’s National Academy.

The son of a New Haven police officer, Higgins is a long-time New Haven resident, who is active in the community, serving as head coach for Hamden’s Pop Warner flag football, assistant baseball coach for New Haven’s Police Athletic League, as well as a volunteer for the Special Olympics and the Safe Kids’ Coalition. Higgins is also a member of Yale’s African American Affinity Group.