Brown University Police Chief Placed on Leave Amid Campus Safety Review
Brown University police chief put on leave after deadly shooting
Brown University placed its campus police chief on administrative leave as part of a wider review into campus safety following the December shooting that killed two students and injured several others, a move the university says will allow an independent after-action assessment to proceed and rebuild community trust.
Scope of the review and responses
The review will include an external after-action assessment, evaluation of emergency notifications, and consideration of new security measures such as expanded card access, cameras, and panic systems while federal authorities examine compliance with campus safety obligations, and university leaders appointed interim oversight to ensure operational continuity during the inquiry.
Community impact and next steps
Campus leaders emphasize accountability and transparent findings, pledging to share recommendations before students return from break and to prioritize both immediate safety upgrades and longer term reforms to restore confidence across the student body and staff.
About the Organizations Mentioned
Brown University
## Overview Brown University, located in Providence, Rhode Island, is a private Ivy League research university renowned for its distinctive approach to undergraduate education, pioneering research, and strong commitment to social responsibility and innovation. Founded in 1764, Brown is the seventh-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and has built a reputation for academic excellence, interdisciplinary study, and a progressive ethos. ## What Brown University Does Brown offers a broad spectrum of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across the arts, humanities, social sciences, life sciences, physical sciences, and engineering. The university is particularly noted for its Open Curriculum, which empowers undergraduate students to design their own course of study without traditional distribution requirements—a hallmark of Brown’s educational philosophy. Graduate and professional programs, including the Warren Alpert Medical School, School of Public Health, and School of Engineering, foster cutting-edge research and prepare students for leadership roles in academia, industry, and public service. ## History Brown was established by Baptist minister James Manning and others, with significant early ties to Rhode Island’s mercantile and maritime history. The university was named in honor of Nicholas Brown, a prominent benefactor. Throughout its history, Brown has been at the forefront of educational reform, including the 1969 adoption of the Open Curriculum, which revolutionized higher education by prioritizing student autonomy and intellectual exploration. ## Key Achievements Brown has produced numerous Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and leaders in diverse fields. Its faculty and alumni have made groundbreaking contributions in areas such as medicine, technology, public policy, and the arts. Recent milestones include the establishment of the Lassonde Innovation and Design Hub, supporting entrepreneurship and technology development[1], and the launch of new graduate programs like the online master’s in business analytics[1]. Brown’s research initiatives frequently address global challenges, from public health to environmental sustainability. ## Current Status As of 2025, Brown continues to attract a highly selective and diverse student body,
