The University of Richmond has appointed David M. McCoy as associate vice president for public safety and chief of police. He will join the university staff March 1, and will oversee the departments of police, safety, risk management, parking and emergency management.

McCoy has served with the City of Richmond Police Department since 1985 and has risen through the ranks to assistant to the chief of police. He holds a B.A. in political science from Canisius College and an M.S. in criminal justice from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he also teaches in the government and public affairs school.

“I am delighted to have Dave on board to take the University of Richmond’s nationally recognized public safety program to a higher level,” said Hossein Sadid, vice president of business and finance.

With the city, McCoy was instrumental in creating and implementing programs connecting Richmond police officers more closely with neighborhoods. In 2003, the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Virginia Crime Prevention Institute recognized him for his role in developing community assisted public safety programs to improve public safety and reduce crime.