25-year veteran named acting Chief of Police

COLUMBUS – Vern Baisden, assistant vice president and director of Public Safety at The Ohio State University, has appointed John M. Petry as the acting chief of University Police, effective immediately. Petry replaces Ron Michalec who resigned, effective Nov. 30.

Petry, a 25-year veteran of the university’s police force, served as deputy chief prior to his appointment. Baisden said that a search for a permanent replacement will be completed within the next 12 months.

Baisden also said that the university will review the needs of the police division and will conduct a self-assessment of its overall strategic public safety plan over the next few months.