IUPD’s Hanson retires

Thirty-nine years of service to the campus police department ended for IU Bloomington Police Chief Michael Hanson when he retired Monday.

Hanson’s nearly four-decade devotion to the department is very rare, said IU Police Department Captain Jerry Minger.

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 fewer employees.

“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.

And although the budget cuts continued, Hanson improved access to technology 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 finding the department’s new home.

“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.

Until a replacement for Hanson has been found, Minger, the current administrative captain, will step in as the interim police chief. IUPD will also reinstate the deputy chief position, which has existed at the department in the past. 

Operations Captain Keith Cash will become interim deputy chief.

“Our goal in restoring the position is to ensure continuity of operations,” said Applegate. “We plan to have a new chief in place by July 1, the start of the new fiscal year.”

The search for the next best candidate will include reviewing and updating the job description and assembling an appropriate search-and-screen committee.

“We intend to conduct a national search, advertising in forums targeting officers at senior level positions at other campus police departments,” Applegate said.

However, Hanson’s service has made a lasting impression on the department and the campus.

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