University Police

Contact Information

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, Lieutenants, and civilian support staff. 

Director of Public Safety / Chief of Police: Rodney Theis -- Chief Theis joined The University of Toledo Police Department in 1998.  Chief Theis earned his peace officer certification from CJ Tech in Toledo. Prior to becoming a UToledo police officer, Chief Theis was a student worker for the UTPD.  He earned an associate's degree in Law Enforcement Technology from UToledo in 1996 and a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from UToledo in 1998. In 2008 he graduated from the Penn State Police Executive program and also attended the inaugural class of the UToledo Leadership Development program in 2011. In 2014 Deputy Chief Theis received his master’s degree from UToledo in Education with a focus on higher education administration.  In 2019 he graduated as a member of Class #23 from the distinguished C.L.E.E. program (Certified Law Enforcement Executive).  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.  In 2019 he was named as the Assistant Director of Public Safety/Deputy Chief of Police, providing leadership in other areas within public safety. In 2022 Chief Theis was promoted to Director of Public Safety / Chief of Police. Chief Theis leads a team consisting of the Deputy Chief of Police, three lieutenants, six sergeants, and approximately twenty officers. Chief Theis has focused on creating a professional, well-trained police department able to serve the law enforcement and security needs of the University community.

 

Deputy Chief of Police: John Lautzenheiser -- DC Lautzenheiser has served the police  department since 1996. DC Lautzenheiser earned his peace officer certification from Lima Technical College in 1996 and joined the police department that same year. In 2004 he received his Bachelor's Degree from The University of Toledo in Administrative Services.  In 2019 he received a master's degree from UToledo with a focus in educational technology.  DC Lautzenheiser was accepted into C.L.E.E. class #27 and is schedule to graduate in 2023.  DC Lautzenheiser served as a patrol officer from 19996 until he was assigned as a detective in 2006.  He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2009 and to Lieutenant in 2014. In 2022 he was promoted to his current rank of Deputy Chief of Police.  He directly supervises a staff of three lieutenants. 

 

 

Staff Lieutenant: Charlie Williams --  Staff 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 UToledo in 1994. Lt. Williams served as a patrol officer from 1997 until being promoted to Lieutenant in 2007. In 2011 he received a UT Leadership Certificate from the UT College of Business and Innovation Executive Center for Global Competitiveness.  In 2022 he was promoted to his current rank of Staff Lieutenant.