Chief Aaron Graves, a man known by many on SMU’s campus, is officially leaving SMU on Friday to be the new chief of police at the University of Southern California. He has been a police officer for 31 years and on March 15 he would have been at SMU for 10 years.
“It is an opportunity available for my professional growth,” Graves said.
USC has a police force of 200 and a large public safety department compared to SMU’s force of 24 officers.
Graves’ decision to move to USC was a recent one and he jumped at the opportunity. He applied in December for the position and was accepted in January.
“Graves is a caring, compassionate person and an excellent boss,” Capt. Mike Snellgrove said at the reception held on Wednesday in Graves’s honor.
Representatives from the Highland park police department, University Park police, family, friends and many other police officers were in attendance to bid Graves farewell.
Graves has received many plaques in honor of his great dedication and leadership throughout his years at SMU.
“He is a very personal and friendly individual who reaches out a hand in need,” said Chief Gary Adams of University Park.
Graves is known to involve himself in the Dallas community instead of just focusing on the University. He has an open mind to new and innovative ideas.
“Graves builds bridges rather than burning them,” said Darrell Fant, director of public safety for Highland Park.
SMU will conduct a nationwide search to find someone to fill the chief’s position, which will be a three to four month process. The university expects many applications to come in.
Starting Friday at 5 p.m., Snellgrove will officially be the interim chief until the position is filled. Snellgrove himself will be applying for the chief of police and many are rooting for him in the department.
Many think that Graves’ shoes are going to be hard to fill.
“It will be very challenging, but not difficult for the replacement to follow Graves,” Snellgrove said. “The department is well organized, the staff is skilled and quite able to do their jobs with very little supervision. So the new chief is going to have to try not to be bored.”
The police department is looking for someone with experience in campus environment, a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and someone who wants to be on a campus.
