Office of the Vice President

Under the leadership of the Vice President for Public Safety, the Office of the Vice President facilitates the strategic and operational mission of the Division of Public Safety.

The Office of the Vice President (VPO) executes the strategic planning and day-to-day operations of the Division of Public Safety. The team manages all media and community communication in partnership with Penn’s Office of University Communications. The VPO coordinates the collaboration of University-wide participants to produce the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Clery Report). The VPO also designs, brands, and distributes all safety and security collateral.

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Clery Act News & Events Media Requests Request for Materials/Collateral Feedback Contact the Vice President

Photo of Kathleen Shields Anderson, she has shoulder-length brown hair, oval-shaped glasses, and is wearing a blue blazer with a white shirt.

Kathleen Shields Anderson, J.D., MBA

Vice President for Public Safety

Kathleen Shields Anderson serves as Vice President for the Division of Public Safety, overseeing the strategic direction of the Division and its 182 staff members.

Read More About Kathleen Shields Anderson, J.D., MBA

Communications & PR

External Media Requests

All external media inquiries should first contact the Office of University Communications at 215-898-8721.

Request Collateral

We encourage you to be our partners in safety and help promote these many initiatives where possible. All requests for DPS printed material and collateral may contact Stacy Ritchey at 215-898-7515 or sritchey[at]publicsafety.upenn.edu.

Media Inquiries and Copy Review

All internal media inquiries and requests for DPS related information or copy review may contact Stacy Ritchey at 215-898-7515 or .

“Our confidence that the Penn campus is safe was a significant determining factor in choosing Penn over other Universities.”

P.L.

Penn Parent

May 1, 2023

Walk Back during Finals!

DPS offers walking escort services 24/7/365 within the Penn Patrol zone. Call 215-898-WALK(9255) anytime to request an escort. We encourage you to use this free service provided for your safety and wellbeing. We also offer a convenient walking escort option…

February 9, 2023

MLK Symposium Program: Public Safety & Community Partnerships

On February 2nd, DPS partnered with the African-American Resource Center (AARC) to ask the question, “How Can University of Pennsylvania’s Division of Public Safety and University of Pennsylvania’s Community Create Partnerships?” The African-American Resource Center coordinated an engaging evening of…

January 19, 2023

Gary Williams Appointed as Chief of the University of Pennsylvania Police Department

Gary Williams, a 21-year veteran of the University of Pennsylvania Police Department (UPPD) has been selected to serve as Chief of Police following an extensive search. The announcement was made on January 17, 2023, by Kathleen Shields Anderson, J.D., MBA,…

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