HYDE PARK — The University of Chicago Police Department has promoted Fountain Walker as its new chief of police.
Walker, who has overseen security at the U. of C. Laboratory School and high-profile campus events as assistant chief of police since 2014, replaces Marlon Lynch.
“Through his exemplary performance as a University of Chicago Police Department leader, Fountain Walker has demonstrated his commitment to maintaining close and collaborative relationships with the University community and our neighbors,” said Rowan Miranda, vice president for operations and chief financial officer, in an announcement of the changes. “He has earned the respect of his peers and the communities we serve, and I know he will excel in his important new role.”
Though Walker is replacing his old boss, Lynch is not leaving the university.
Lynch will remain associate vice president for safety, security and civic affairs, the job he has held concurrently with chief of police title since replacing Rudy Nimocks in 2009.
The university said in a statement that Lynch will continue in an oversight role of the 100-officer private police force and Walker will continue to report to Lynch. But Lynch’s job will expand to include more oversight of parking and transportation around campus, emergency preparedness and risk management and loss prevention for the university’s insured properties.
Before joining the university in 2010 as a captain on the university’s police force, Walker was police chief at Davidson College in North Carolina.
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