NCCU has new police chief

N.C. Central University has hired an alumna as its new chief of police.

Odetta Johnson, who was a major and chief of staff with the Richmond, Va., police department, started at NCCU last week as director of public safety and chief of police. Her appointment as chief of police is pending final approval by the N.C. Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission.

Johnson, who earned a bachelor’s degree in public administration from NCCU, returns with more than two decades of experience and a wealth and breath of expertise in law enforcement. In her previous role with the Richmond Police Department, she served as police commander, supervising a staff of 122 employees. Her experience also includes assignments in field operations, the economic crimes unit, organized crime, forensics, youth and family crime, internal affairs and the disciplinary review office.

In 2010, Johnson was appointed interim chief of police for Virginia Union University in Richmond. A veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, she received a Bronze Star and is a retired reservist in the U.S. Army with 24 years of service.

This story was originally published December 9, 2015 at 6:04 PM with the headline "NCCU has new police chief."