Columbus State University has named Debra Kennedy, a lifelong law enforcement professional with the Columbus Police Department, its new chief of the University Police Department. Kennedy joins the university after 33 years in local law enforcement, culminating in her current position as assistant chief of both the CPD’s Patrol and Investigative Services Bureaus.

Kennedy is well-acquainted with Columbus State, where she earned both a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master of public administration degree. She regularly liaises with the University Police Department as part of her cross-jurisdictional and interagency duties, and she has several relatives who graduated from CSU. Additionally, her training, teaching and command experiences make her an ideal candidate for CSU, said Columbus State President Stuart Rayfield.

“Debra has an impeccable reputation in this community,” Rayfield said. "Our current officers were excited about the possibility of her taking command here, and I look forward to us all benefiting from her expertise and experience.”

Kennedy began her law enforcement career with the Columbus Police Department in 1992 as a patrol officer. In the three following decades, her roles have spanned the investigative and leadership gamut to include juvenile justice, sex crimes, vice, domestic violence, narcotics, robbery, homicide, criminal procedure and justice, and special operations.

Since becoming assistant chief in 2020, she has overseen the department’s Bureau of Administrative Services and the Bureau of Support Services. Those duties range from training and personnel to support functions such as the 911 Call Center, vehicle fleet, evidence and records.

“I am deeply honored to accept the position of chief of police at Columbus State University,” Kennedy said. “I am grateful for the trust placed in me by the university leadership team, university police officers, and the faculty and students at CSU. I’m excited to use my 33 years of law enforcement experience to commit to providing a safe environment for students to learn in and for faculty and staff to work in. I’m equally enthusiastic about the opportunity to foster new community policing ideas that will strengthen the relationship between the University Police Department and our campus community.”

In addition to her Columbus State degrees, she is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff & Command, has taught as an adjunct instructor, is a member of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police and has specialized training in a variety of areas, including prescription drug investigations, high-risk warrant execution and narcotics investigations.

Kennedy will begin her tenure on June 1.