DPS head announces retirement

After 19 years, 63-year-old Leo Heatley plans to retire in March

After heading the University's Department of Public Safety for 13 years, Leo Heatley announced yesterday he will retire at the end of March.

"The time is right," the 63-year-old Heatley said yesterday. "It is time to move on to another chapter in my life.

"It's been wonderful to work with Leo," said Henry Baier, interim associate vice president for business operations.

Heatley

Brian Mackie, prosecuting attorney for Washtenaw County, said "It's bad that he is leaving. He is a young, healthy guy and a real gentleman,"

In 1979, Heatley became the associate director of DPS. One of his goals, Heatley said, was to "establish a professional police department."

During his 19 years with the DPS, Heatley transformed the campus security force to a full-fledged campus police department. In 1990, the University Board of Regents voted to deputize the department, giving DPS the authority to make arrests and carry weapons.

"It took a long time for DPS to become a law enforcement agency," Heatley said.

In 1991, DPS placed its first fully trained police officers on the streets of Ann Arbor.

"We have become one of the best campus law enforcement agencies in the United States," Heatley said. "Our officers our trained just as good or better as other agencies."

Baier agreed, saying "Leo has developed a very professional staff."

During his tenure, Heatley has also secured a closer relationship with the Ann Arbor Police Department.

"There are many issues that effect both departments," said Carl Ent, AAPD chief of police. "Leo is always easy to work with."

Along with establishing DPS as a law enforcement agency, Heatley changed the rules in 1986 to allow University students to be employed as DPS security personnel during campus events.

"It's a great program for a college campus," Heatley said. "Students get a chance to learn the business and some even go on to full-time employment to a law enforcement agency."

Other accomplishments include establishing the Campus Oriented Policing program. COP is a "partnership between people in the community and law enforcement agencies, Heatley said. The program allows Ann Arbor residents to actively participate in making their community safer.

Before coming to the University, Heatley earned a degree in criminal justice from Madonna University in Livonia and an associate of arts degree in police administration from Schoolcraft College in Livonia. Heatley also graduated from the FBI National Academy. He served in the U.S. Navy and was captain of the state's police department. After 23 years of service with the state, he retired and decided to come back to his home town - Ann Arbor.

Heatley will retire March 31. The department has not yet started looking for his replacement, Baier said.

"We do not have anyone in mind right now," he said "Leo has given us six months to think about it."

Baier added that when the time does come to select a new director, the committee will be composed of members of the University community.

Ent said he hopes the cooperation with the city will continue under the next director.

09-17-98