IU Bloomington Police Chief retired Monday

IU Bloomington Police Chief Michael Hanson will retire from the IU Police Department Monday.

He has devoted 39 years to the campus police department.

IUPD Capt. Jerry Minger said Hanson’s devotion of almost four decades to the department is very rare.  

During Hanson’s years of service, 18 were spent as deputy chief and chief.

 “This is unusual for anyone to stay with an employer for that long, this is something to celebrate,” said John Applegate, vice president for planning and policy at IU.

One of Hanson’s accomplishments within the police department was working with less employees. Due to budget cuts, Minger said the department has gone from 100 officers in 1972 to 44 officers today.

“Under Chief Hanson’s leadership the police department has been able to sustain effective police response with fewer than half of the original number of officers,” Minger said.

As the budget cuts continued, Hanson developed the first computer network at IUPD.

“Mike truly laid the foundation for all of the technology that we have today,” Minger said. “He learned how to run coaxial cable, how to crimp connectors and physically established the first computer network for the IU Police.”

 Hanson was also responsible for the relocation of IUPD to its current, larger facility.

“For many years it was a primary goal of Chief Hanson to find a larger facility to house IUPD and create a more efficient and effective department,” Minger said.

Hanson accomplished his goal in February 2008 when IUPD moved to its current location on 17th Street.

“IU is very grateful for his dedicated service over many years and we wish him the best of luck,” said Applegate.