Brown University’s vice president for public safety and emergency management, Rodney Chatman, has maintained a low profile while Providence police continue their investigation into Saturday afternoon’s mass shooting, which left two people dead and nine injured. According to Fox News, Chatman and Brown University have come under scrutiny for placing a heavy emphasis on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts rather than actual campus security.
According to Fox News, Chatman’s career in law enforcement began in 2005 at the University of Cincinnati, where he advanced to captain by 2012. He subsequently served as executive director of campus safety and police chief at the University of Dayton beginning in 2016. In 2020, he became police chief at the University of Utah. His tenure at Utah was marked by controversy after he was accused of wearing a badge and carrying a firearm before he was licensed as a police officer in Utah; the allegations were ultimately unfounded, though he spent half of his year on leave amid discussions over policing reforms he sought to implement. He departed Utah for Brown in 2021.
In October, two Brown University unions—the Brown University Security Patrolperson’s Association and the University Police Sergeants Union—voted no confidence in Chatman, citing concerns about the direction and leadership of the Department of Public Safety.
The shooting has heightened scrutiny of campus security, including questions regarding access to the building and the absence of security cameras. Chatman has offered only brief statements since the incident, noting that three outdoor sirens on campus did not activate during the event due to its rapid progression, per the Rhode Island Current.
Fox News Digital has highlighted Brown’s emphasis on DEI within the campus-safety department under Chatman. Brown University President Christina Paxson welcomed Chatman, praising his law-enforcement credentials and his ability to engage the Brown community in advancing campus safety.
According to Fox News, Paxson said in the announcement of Chatman’s hiring, “As we continue to assess and strengthen campus safety practices amid the critical national debate around policing and justice, we are set to welcome a truly accomplished leader who is ideally positioned to guide this work at Brown.”
“Chief Chatman will bring not only an outstanding track record in law enforcement, but also the values, skills and experiences that will enable him to effectively engage our full community in advancing safety on campus in every aspect,” Paxson added.
Previously, Chatman urged other campus-police departments to refrain from posting images of officers with weapons or engaging in tactical maneuvers online, arguing such displays can provoke anxiety and urging a shift toward emphasizing compassion and community engagement.
“To my police leaders: please consider removing pictures prominently displayed on your websites and promotional material of your officers engaged in tactical maneuvers and displaying weapons. We all know you have them,” Chatman said. “Consider displaying your compassion, and engagement with the community that alleviates the anxiety of our presence.”
Brown’s Department of Public Safety conducts listening sessions to provide students a forum to express concerns about police–community relations and campus safety programming. The department notes that participants may learn about the Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) and provide feedback.
The DIAP initiative, launched in 2016, remains central to Brown’s approach to diversity within Public Safety. In 2017, Brown engaged Dr. Scout, a transgender academic, to lead a three-day diversity workshop focusing on cultural competence and engagement with LGBTQ and other diverse communities. Brown contends that a diverse workforce is essential to fostering trust and enhancing service delivery.
Brown’s public-safety materials emphasize a commitment to trust-building with the university’s diverse community and addressing racial justice concerns, while acknowledging that improvements remain possible. Critics from Fox News have challenged Brown’s DEI focus, arguing that safety should take precedence.