ODU names new chief of police

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - The Old Dominion University Police Department has named its new chief of police.

Rhonda L. Harris will begin on February 13, according to the ODU website .

Harris is currently chief of police at Rutgers University in New Brunswick and has 25 years of experience.

"Chief Harris possesses a wealth of metropolitan university policing experience, which will enable her to hit the ground running at Old Dominion University," Chief Operating Officer David F. Harnage said.

Harris will oversee a campus safety force of nearly 130 police officers, security guards and civilian personnel.

Public safety services include emergency response, crime prevention programs, 24-hour campus-wide patrols and safety escort services.

She will also be responsible for directing the university's emergency preparedness and response operations.

Harris is replacing Chief Rudolph Burwell, who retired in June after a 40-year law enforcement career.

George Votava has been serving as interim chief of police.