For the City Times

Brian Bridges has been hired as the interim chief of police at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Bridges succeeds Bill Rowe, who retired after nearly 15 years.

Bridges brings 35 years of university policing and management experience to the university, according to a news release from UWSP. He served 32 years at the UW-Madison Police Department, retiring in February with the rank of assistant chief.

Most recently, the release says, he served as interim police chief at UW-Madison and assisted with selecting a new chief. He also worked at UW-Eau Claire for three years.

“Brian brings a wealth of policing and collaborative experience with him to Stevens Point and will put his skills to good use protecting our campus,” said Kristen Hendrickson, vice chancellor for business affairs at UWSP.

Bridges said he is looking forward to getting to know the campus, community, faculty, staff and students in his new role. He worked with all levels of municipal, county, state and federal agencies at UW-Madison and said he enjoys building collaborative relationships that benefit the campus and community.

A nationwide search for a new chief will begin in fall. Input from a variety of university and community stakeholders will be sought as a new chief is identified.