The University of Toledo

Administration

Organizational Chart (Click on link below)

Organizational Chart

Administration

The administrative team of The University of Toledo Police Department consists of the Director of Public Safety/Chief of Police, Deputy Chief of Police, five Lieutenants, and four civilian support staff. The team includes:

 

Director of Public Safety/Chief of Police: Jeff Newton -- Since the 2006 merger of The University of Toledo and the Medical University of Ohio, the police department has been led by Chief Jeff Newton. Chief Newton earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Bowling Green State University and a master’s in sociology from The University of Toledo. He has been a member of the UTPD since 1997, serving in the roles of Sergeant and Lieutenant prior to his appointment to Chief. Chief Newton has focused on creating a professional, well-trained police department able to serve the law enforcement and security needs of the University community. Another important accomplishment has been the strong relationships and partnerships built between the Police Department and Student Affairs, the Counseling Center, Residence Life, and student groups on both the Main and Health Science Campuses. Chief Newton has also been committed to communicating with and educating students, faculty and staff on crime trends and safe practices through a variety of means including Timely Warnings, text messages via "UT Alert," the outdoor public address system and the development of a safety video titled "Keeping UT Safe."

Deputy Chief of Police: Rodney Theis -- Deputy Chief Theis joined The University of Toledo Police Department in 1998.  Prior to becoming a UT police officer, Deputy Chief Theis was a student worker for the UTPD.  He earned an associate's degree in Law Enforcement Technology from The University of Toledo in 1996 and a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from UT in 1998.  Deputy Chief Theis served as a patrol officer from 1998 until his promotion to Lieutenant in 2007.  In 2011 he was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief.  Deputy Chief Theis has implemented an improved Field Training Officer program with electronic record keeping and an automated web based scheduling system to improve accuracy and efficiencies in meeting the department's scheduling needs.  He is one of two department certified ATV instructors and coordinates the department's alternative vehicle operations which utilizes two ATV's, one UTV (utility terrain vehicle), and a golf cart.  Deputy Chief Theis works with the Chief of Police on strategic planning and is responsible for special projects at the direction of the Chief.  He is also responsible for special events; dignitary planning; internal investigations; recruitment and field training; operations supervision; and administrative support by leading a team of five Lieutenants.

Main Campus Administrative Lieutenant: Brett Weaver -- Lt. Weaver has served as a law enforcement officer since 1987 joining The University of Toledo Police Department in 1992. Prior to his appointment as a Lieutenant in 2007, Lt. Weaver served as a detective for 11 years. Lt. Weaver earned his associate's degree in Criminal Justice from Owens College and also attended The University of Toledo. Lt. Weaver serves as a liaison officer with the Northwest Ohio Joint Terrorism Task Force and carries special deputy status as a U.S. Marshal in his part-time duties as a task force agent. Lt. Weaver’s primary responsibilities include the supervision of Investigations; Dispatch Communications; coordination of the departments Automated Records Management System; training and professional standards; and UCR and Clery crime statistics. 

Health Science Campus Administrative Lieutenant: Tressa S. Johnson -- Lt. Johnson joined The University of Toledo Police Department in 1998 as a police officer and was promoted to Lieutenant in 2007. She earned her master’s degree in Community Counseling from The University of Toledo in 2004. She received her State of Ohio Licensed Professional Counselor in 2006. Prior to being promoted, she was assigned to the UTPD-TPD Team Policing unit. She also worked in the Community Affairs office and implemented the Healthy Boundaries Program which promotes healthy relationships amongst UT students. Lt. Johnson also implemented the UTPD’s first domestic violence training program with resource materials readily available for all officers. Her primary responsibilities include the supervision of Field Operations on the Health Science campus and supervision of HSC security staff. Lt. Johnson also assists with the campus police role in safety and security requirements for Joint Commission standards.

1st Shift Lieutenant: Julie Rightnowar -- Lt. Rightnowar earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Indiana University. She has been a member of The University of Toledo Police Department since 1992. Lt. Rightnowar's primary responsibilities include the supervision of first shift Field Operations and fleet management.   Additionally, Lt. Rightnowar serves as a liaison for Community Relations utilizing the department's Community Oriented Policing philosophy. Community policing is about building partnerships to solve problems in the community. The UTPD partners with residence life, student affairs and various student groups to solve issues and improve the quality of life on campus. Lt. Rightnowar is also the department’s firearms instructor along with Sgt. Doug Perry and Officer Mike Mattimoe. She also teaches a for-credit women’s self defense course – Rape Aggression Defense (RAD).

2nd Shift Field Operations Lieutenant: Anthony Oberneder -- Lt. Oberneder has served the police department since 1989. Lt. Oberneder earned an associate’s degree from Hocking College in 1988, and joined the police department of the former Medical College of Ohio the following year. Throughout his career he has served as Sergeant, Administration Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain. Prior to the merger, Lt. Oberneder served as the interim Police Chief of the former Medical University of Ohio. Lt. Oberneder's primary responsibilities include the supervision of Second Shift Field Operations, and equipment management.  Lt. Oberneder also represents the UTPD in weekly student government meetings and acts as the department’s liaison.

3rd Shift Field Operations Lieutenant: Charlie Williams -- Lt. Williams has been a member of The University of Toledo Police Department since 1997. Prior to joining UTPD, Lt. Williams worked for the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office from 1994 to 1997. Lt. Williams received a bachelor’s degree in public relations from UT in 1994. Lt. Williams served as a patrol officer from 1997 until being promoted to Lieutenant in 2007. Lt. Williams is the UTPD’s representative on the Lucas County OVI Task force and is tasked with organizing, supervising and conducting the sobriety checkpoints sponsored by the department. He also serves on the Underage Access to Alcohol committee, a sub-committee of the OVI Task Force. Lt. Williams is responsible for the department’s record keeping and reporting of the "Click it or Ticket" and "Over the Limit, Under Arrest" State of Ohio traffic campaigns.  His primary responsibilities include the supervision of Third Shift Field Operations, UTPD/TPD Unit 618 joint patrol, and equipment management.

Manager / Public Safety Support Services: Sherri Kaspar -- Sherri joined UTPD in 2004 as Event Manager her duties included supervising Rocket Patrol and helping manage parking and security at special events. In 2005 she was also charged with managing the Parking Enforcement office. In 2010 she was named Police Support Services Manager. Currently Ms. Kaspar is responsible for managing key control, special events, parking enforcement, fingerprinting, student office workers and Rocket Patrol. Kaspar earned a bachelor’s degree from Defiance College in Wellness and Corporate Fitness and a master’s degree from The University of Toledo in Recreation Administration with an emphasis in event planning.