x Ronnell Higgins
As Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety and then Associate Vice President of all Public Safety at Yale University, Ronnell was highly instrumental in signficantly reducing crime on campus, reducing UCR crimes to their lowest levels since Yale began reporting in 1985. He developed and led numerous programs supporting excellence in on-campus safety, community policing, and deep collaborations with stakeholders, leaders, and members of both the University and City of New Haven communities while, at the same time, ensuring a leading-edge focus on efforts to reduce community violence. Additionally, he drove initiatives capitalizing on 21st century policing principles that enhanced on-campus practices, including appropriate handling of numerous high-profile situations.

Considered a principled and trusted advisor, Ronnell has earned a reputation for thought leadership in on-campus policing and is recognized as a talented facilitator of greater integration (merging both the urban and the academic) and leveraging local, state and federal resources. He has maximized the use of public safety systems, leveraging technology to achieve community safety.

His active involvement in various government and community groups has earned him recognition for his influence and unwavering dedication to his work, including being named among the "Most Influential People in Security" by Security magazine and one of the "100 Most Influential Black People in Connecticut" by the Connecticut NAACP.

Higgins received a Bachelor of Science degree in law enforcement as well as a Master of Arts degree in security studies. He firmly believes in the value of listening, learning, and leading as essential components in the pursuit of excellence in public safety and law enforcement. His academic background, coupled with his professional experience, reflects a deep commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of the Yale community while also demonstrating a strong understanding of the complexities of security and law enforcement. As Commissioner of DESPP, he brings the same passion for inclusive and collaborative leadership to his role. His primary goal is to ensure that every voice is heard and the citizens of Connecticut have access to the necessary public safety resources.

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