From building trust with student-athletes to coordinating security for home and away games, AJ shares how UCPD works closely with the football program behind the scenes—from the team hotel and catwalk to the sidelines and beyond. The conversation also highlights the importance of relationships, education, and showing student-athletes that law enforcement officers are not just there to protect, but also to serve as trusted resources and part of the UC community.

It’s a fun, honest look at the teamwork, planning, and family atmosphere that help make Bearcats football season safe and successful.

Go Bearcats!

Joined by Assistant Chief Dudley Smith, and co-hosts Officer Darryn Chenault, and Public Information Officer Kelly Cantwell, this conversation breaks down common questions and misconceptions about UCPD, including when to call, how UCPD works with Cincinnati Police, what resources are available on and off campus, and how students can get help if they feel unsafe. The episode also highlights practical safety tools like the Bearcat Guardian app, blue help phones, victim services, and free resources such as U-locks and steering wheel locks.

Whether you're a new student, a returning Bearcat, or just curious about how public safety works at UC, this episode offers a clear, honest look at how UCPD supports the campus community—and why reaching out is always okay.

Listeners will learn:

• What UC’s Fire Prevention Unit does across all campuses, including inspecting more than 140 properties, coordinating with Facilities, Emergency Management, and alarm technicians, and working with outside fire departments.
• The difference between a fire alarm and a fire drill – how UC’s alarm systems work, why drills are required, and what happens behind the scenes when an alarm goes off.
• Why you should never ignore a fire alarm, even if you think it’s “just a drill” or “probably burnt popcorn,” and how staying in your room puts first responders at risk.
• Common ways fire alarms and sprinklers are set off in residence halls – from macaroni without water and burnt popcorn to real Christmas trees and hanging clothes (or boom boxes) on sprinkler heads – and how to prevent costly and dangerous flooding.
• Key safety tips for students and employees, including knowing two exits, recognizing stairwells and exits, locating fire extinguishers, and accessing UC’s online fire extinguisher training and building-specific evacuation procedures.

Whether you live in a residence hall, work in an office or lab, or just pass through campus buildings every day, this episode will help you understand your role in fire safety—and why responding to alarms the right way protects not just you, but the entire UC community.

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - .

With 37 years in law enforcement—including serving as Chief of the Cincinnati Police Department—Chief Isaac reflects on his journey from patrol officer to city chief, and now to leading the University of Cincinnati Public Safety Department. He shares what inspired him to continue serving after retiring from CPD, what makes campus policing unique, and how his deep roots in Cincinnati shape his approach to protecting students, faculty, and staff.

The conversation explores the realities of safety at an urban university. Chief Isaac explains how UCPD works closely with CPD through a memorandum of understanding that allows for seamless collaboration and coordinated response in the neighborhoods surrounding campus.

Listeners will also hear about proactive safety efforts, community engagement, expanding the university’s footprint in key areas, and the broader scope of public safety—from fire prevention to access control. Above all, Chief Isaac emphasizes a simple but powerful philosophy: be helpful, stay engaged, and always put the community's safety first.

Whether you’re a student, parent, staff member, or community partner, this episode offers an inside look at how UC is working every day to create a safer, stronger campus community.

Chief of Staff John DeJarnette joins the conversation alongside Nicole Haberer, UCPD’s Clery Compliance Specialist, to discuss the University of Cincinnati Police Division’s continued commitment to excellence. After earning accreditation through International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) in 2019 and reaccreditation in 2023, UCPD is now pursuing accreditation through the Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Accreditation Program.

From the state level, Ed Burkhammer, Director of Law Enforcement Services with the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services, and Program Manager Charity Detty-Wingo explain how Ohio built a first-of-its-kind accreditation program designed to remove common barriers like cost, staffing, and access to resources — making high standards attainable for agencies of all sizes.

Listeners will hear how accreditation goes beyond “checking a box.” The discussion explores:

• How outside assessors review policies, facilities, and training

• Why annual use-of-force analysis drives better officer training

• The importance of culture in sustaining excellence

• How accreditation supports officer wellness and accountability

• What this means for students, parents, faculty, and staff

At its core, this episode highlights a shared commitment: ensuring the UC community is served by a police department that actively pursues best practices and continuous improvement.

Whether you're a parent sending a student to campus, a member of the UC community, or simply interested in how law enforcement agencies elevate professional standards, this conversation offers an inside look at how UCPD is working to raise the bar — and keep it there.

From how camera locations are selected using crime data, to what DTS (Digital Technology Solutions) actually does, to the role of AI-powered analytics, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the systems working behind the scenes every day. The team discusses partnerships with public safety, coordination across campus units, privacy considerations, camera maintenance, and why cameras are about deterrence and safety—not surveillance.

Whether you’re a student, parent, staff member, or just curious about how modern campus security works, this episode offers an insightful and approachable look at the teamwork and technology protecting the community.

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Happy New Year with Public Safety Personnel
• (00:00:47) - Projects and Operations, Technical Operations
• (00:02:24) - DTS and Public Safety: How Do They Work Together?
• (00:04:47) - Deciding where to place a camera on campus
• (00:07:09) - How Do You Manage UCPD's Security Cameras?
• (00:10:03) - How Can Crime Scene Cameras Help UC Police?
• (00:13:15) - Public Safety: Security Cameras on Campus
• (00:17:47) - Facial Recognition on Security Cameras

He shares how UCPD balances “hard” and “soft” skills to protect the campus community, why customer-service-focused policing is central to the department’s mission, and how continuous training equips officers to respond with professionalism, empathy, and confidence—especially when supporting students in crisis.

Whether you're a student, parent, faculty member, or staff, this episode offers a clear and accessible look at the work happening behind the scenes to keep our campus safe, prepared, and connected.

They break down recent trends, common mistakes students make, and simple, effective ways to protect your belongings—whether you live in a residence hall or off campus. From locking windows and keeping your information private online to using cameras and staying aware of your surroundings, this episode is packed with practical advice every Bearcat should know before heading home for break.

Tune in to learn how UCPD works to keep the UC community safe—and what you can do to help.

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Bridging the Gap
• (00:04:50) - Safety on and off the UC campus
• (00:09:07) - Car Break-ins, Guns
• (00:11:02) - Do Dash Cams Help With Auto Theft?
• (00:13:55) - Bearcat Guardian: How to Walk Home at Night
• (00:18:49) - UC Police: On-Campus Crime
• (00:24:18) - Crime Reduction on the University of Cincinnati Campus

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Bridging the Gap: UC Public Safety