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Dunbar brings expertise to Public Safety by Cindy Abole Public Relations In today’s era where safety and vigilance matter to most Americans, MUSC hopes to gain an edge in maintaining a safe and secure university community with the presence of a police veteran and leader.  Chief Tony Dunbar, right, and Capt. Bob Waite meet with students during the Sept. 2 welcome back reception sponsored by the Office of Diversity. Department of Public Safety Chief Tony Dunbar possesses the right mix of leadership skills, knowledge and experience to lead the campus’s professional law enforcement organiza-tion with the right committed vision. Possessing more than 30 years of professional law enforcement experience, with 20 of those spent with the FBI, Dunbar hopes to provide a stable, round-the-clock presence to support the needs of the 10,000-plus campus community. Dunbar joined MUSC Public Safety as the institution’s top choice following an extensive assessment process led by a campuswide search committee. “We’re fortunate to hire someone with Tony’s background and caliber,” said Stewart Mixon, MUSC chief operations officer over Public Safety. “The group relied on several strategies, including the use of professional experts, to assess qualified candidates. Everyone was attracted to Tony’s performance and track record. In the end, we all believed he was a great fit.” Dunbar came to Charleston following a distinguished FBI career based in Chattanooga, Tenn., leading and coordinating team investigations related to large-scale drug crimes and conspiracies. With a master's degree from the University of Louisville, Dunbar  taught law enforcement on a university level in both Tennessee and North Carolina. He relishes the opportunity of working again with people within a thriving academic environment.  “FBI work is so intellectually driven, challenging, and full of problem-solving work involving a team of specialists and experts,” Dunbar said. “There are advantages in using skills, abilities, resources and available technology to help solve crimes. I’m hoping to inspire our public safety staff in the same committed, dedicated and hard-working efforts daily.” Dunbar’s hiring was the result of an eight-month process following the retirement of former Public Safety Chief Tom Brown. A search committee was formed and candidates underwent a scrupulous screening process. As the field narrowed, candidates were asked to prepare and submit a department action plan based upon specific goals and objectives of Public Safety staff.  “The screening process for the Chief of Public Safety was very involved,” said Betts Ellis, institutional relations administrator, Medical University Hospital Authority. “Prescribing this amount of detail ultimately assured the committee that they were considering the most well-qualified candidates who also demonstrated exceptional writing and analytical skills. Mr. Dunbar was the cream of the crop.” Since Sept. 11, 2001, the nation’s emphasis on security and combating terrorism led to newer changes in on-campus preparedness by MUSC and other colleges and institutions to help meet federal standards. Foremost is Dunbar’s goal to ensure a safe and serviceable environment for the students, staff, employees, patients and guests who work and visit the institution. His focus also follows the university’s overall mission as a service and protection agency.  As students return to campus, Dunbar and the department will shift their focus to other priorities including campus safety, security and crime prevention, parking and card access. The department regularly is praised for its excellence in specific services including its safety escort program, emergency call box system and bike patrol services.  Within the last two months, Dunbar met students and university and medical staff,  introducing himself and promoting the department’s role as a service agency with an emphasis on law enforcement services. MUSC’s open campus located within the heart of Charleston presents a challenge for individual safety with the presence of transient personnel throughout its four-mile, 12-block radius. But the presence of bike patrols, emergency call boxes, security cameras and other security measures have countered most people’s fears. Today, controlled access cards allow for more secured capabilities. With the swipe of a card’s magnetic strip, users can perform specified functions or gain access to authorized work and student-related areas thanks to growing technology, Dunbar said.  Despite technology’s conveniences, Dunbar favors self-vigilance when it comes to security and people. Personal items and valuables such as backpacks and purses should be stored in closed, secured areas. Maintaining these safe practices may help reduce a person’s chances for targeted theft and other  crimes in the workplace, he said. Another priority is maintaining an open, communicative environment for his 50-member staff, assuring a place where participants feel they belong and can contribute new ideas to enhance their daily operations.  “Tony has a track record for solid leadership,” Mixon said. “He’s open,  approachable, and willing to listen to people. He is supportive to his internal staff’s needs and is a keen decision-maker.” “The department was at a point where they needed more stability through continuity in leadership,” Dunbar said. “I have the utmost respect and admiration for our staff and employees. To me, they represent the best example of excellence and professionalism through their work and dedication to their jobs.” As MUSC’s campus grows, so will the need for police services. The university’s recent acquirement of the county parking garage on Charleston Center Drive  required additional staffing by the department’s parking enforcement officers and at other parking locations. The department currently suffers from a staff shortage, with staff officers lured away by higher salaries and other career opportunities courtesy of the nation’s build-up in security to prevent terrorism.  According to Dunbar, the cost to recruit, train and equip a street-ready officer can be both time consuming and costly (estimated at $28,000). Following training at the S.C. State Training Academy, public safety officers are commissioned as sworn state constables by the governor and possess full police authority and jurisdiction throughout the state.  Although the department can do little regarding staff turnovers, they can be more proactive by offering incentives such as continuous training and staff development to help with staff retention. “We look for the best qualified candidates who are attentive and enjoy working with people,” Dunbar said. “Providing the law enforcement skills is something that is easily teachable. We want our staff to portray a respectable, professional image on campus.” Soon, Dunbar will prepare his staff for the department’s reaccreditation with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) in 2005. The department won international accreditation in 1999 and 2003, joining more than 65,000 world police agencies and their peers who met specific law enforcement standards and achieve-ments for excellence.  “CALEA reaccreditation is very important to Tony and his Public Safety staff,” Mixon said of MUSC’s standing with a select group of university and college-level campus police agencies that are CALEA-certified. “His interest in this reflects the seriousness he has towards safety and security on campus.”  Friday, Sept. 17, 2004 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. 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