A new chief of police is starting at the University of North Texas beginning in June.
Ramona Washington, an alumna who holds a bachelor’s and master’s in criminal justice from the school and who has more than 20 years of law enforcement experience, will take on the role of police chief for the university on June 1, according to a press release from the university.
“Ramona embodies the professionalism and community-centric focus that we desire in a police chief to lead this department, oversee the safety of our campus, and connect with our students, faculty, staff and guests,” Clayton Gibson, vice president for finance and administration at UNT, said in the press release. “She has spent most of her career with UNT Police because this community holds special meaning to her. This is where she experienced educational and professional success, and she wants to support the successes of others here, as well.”
Washington first joined the UNT police department in 2002 after serving as a Denton County detention officer. She now serves as captain of the Criminal Investigations Unit for the UNT Police Department.
She has also been an adjunct faculty member at North Central Texas College and UNT, teaching courses in criminal justice.
Washington has conducted training sessions for the UNT police department on implicit bias awareness and investigating sexual assault.
“I have spent most of my career at UNT on purpose. I believe strongly in the mission to support the education of students and to provide a safe and secure environment for our entire community,” Washington said in the press release. “I am excited about my new role, but it is even more meaningful because I get to do it here at UNT – a university that means so much to me and that has played such a significant role in my own life and success.”
Washington takes over from retiring Police Chief Ed Reynolds, who has worked for the UNT Police Department for 30 years in a variety of roles.
