Ohio State University names new chief of police

COLUMBUS -- A 28-year veteran of the Columbus Division of Police has been named the next chief of police in The Ohio State University Division of Police. Paul S. Denton, currently a commander assigned to the Columbus police department's Technical Services Bureau, where he supervises a team of 125 personnel, will join the university force on Nov. 6.

The chief of police reports to the university's director of public safety. The position became vacant in 2005 with the retirement of former chief John Petry. Vernon L. Baisden, assistant vice president and director of public safety, currently serving as acting chief of police, said “We are pleased that Commander Denton will bring his considerable expertise and knowledge of the university area to Ohio State's public safety operations.”

Denton, a resident of Orient, formerly served as a patrol commander for the neighborhood surrounding the Columbus campus. During that time, he planned the police response to large-scale community events, forging a close relationship with Campus Partners and the executive staff of the University Public Safety Department. In addition, he worked for the university in a special events capacity for football games and graduations.

Denton has worked closely with university, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies, business leaders and other criminal justice officials on a variety of issues. He commanded the police department's Detective Bureau for five years, with the responsibility for major criminal investigations.

A graduate of Youngstown State University, he holds a master of business administration degree from Xavier University in Cincinnati, a master of science and criminal justice from Tiffin University and a certificate of training from the FBI National Academy at the University of Virginia. He holds a Certified Law Enforcement Executive (CLEE) designation.