Candidate for IACP 4th Vice President: Patrick Ogden
Patrick Ogden is a 36-year veteran of law enforcement. He was selected to lead the University of Delaware Police Department, as Chief of Police in 2009. The department has an authorized strength of 92 full-time personnel who are assigned to the patrol, special operations, auxiliary operations, and administrative services divisions, as well as 100 students who staff the Cadet Program and Emergency Care Unit. Chief Ogden developed and executed innovative crime reduction strategies and community policing initiatives to enhance safety and decrease Part I crime, by nearly 69 percent over the past 14 years. The department is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies for advanced law enforcement and for public safety communications. Ogden currently serves as president for the Delaware Association of Chiefs of Police, immediate past-president for the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, and as an appointed member of the Board of Directors for the International Association of Chiefs of Police, as well as the IACP SACOP representative for Delaware.
Before his appointment at the University of Delaware, Chief Ogden served for 22 years with the Delaware State Police, holding various assignments, including: officer in charge of the New Castle County Criminal Investigative Unit, troop commander, deputy commander of the Special Investigations Unit, task force officer with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, detective, and patrol trooper. He also spent 16 years assigned to the statewide Special Operations Response Team. Chief Ogden was recognized for many accomplishments throughout his state police career; to include an Excellence in Government Service Award, an Exceptional Performance Award, two Superintendent’s Citations, a Valor Award, and a Co-Trooper of the Year award.
Chief Ogden earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Wilmington College, attended the Northwestern University School of Police Staff & Command, the DEA Drug Unit Commanders Academy, the United States Secret Service Dignitary Protection Seminar, the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar, and the Police Executive Research Forum Senior Management Institute for Police.
Chief Ogden is a lifelong Delaware resident, who resides in Wilmington with his wife Christine and their two daughters, Megan, and Elizabeth. His father and two of his five brothers were also career law enforcement officers.
Candidate Statement
My name is Patrick Ogden, and I am a 2023 candidate for IACP 4th Vice President. My motivation for seeking this esteemed position is simple: I have been blessed with amazing opportunities to serve in various law enforcement leadership roles over the past three-and-a-half decades, and I want to use my experience and enthusiasm to give back to our noble profession. Since I have not had the pleasure of meeting all of you personally, please allow me to introduce myself.
I was raised in a law enforcement family and passionately worked for the past 36+ years as a police officer. I served for 22 years with the Delaware State Police, holding various assignments, including officer in charge of the New Castle County Criminal Investigative Unit, troop commander, deputy commander of the Special Investigations Unit, task force officer with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, detective, patrol trooper and as a team leader for the statewide Special Operations Response Team.
During the past 14 years, I have served the University of Delaware as chief of police. In this role, I developed and executed innovative crime reduction strategies and community policing initiatives to enhance safety and decrease Part I crime by nearly 69 percent. I also led the department through four CALEA reaccreditations for law enforcement and our initial accreditation process for public safety communications this past year. In addition, I signed pledges to exemplify my commitments to the IACP Trust Building Campaign and the IACP One Mind Campaign, as well as the 30X30 Initiative to advance women in policing.
One of the things that I enjoy most at this point in my career is association work to enhance our profession. I currently serve the IACP as an appointed member of the board of directors, a member of the firearms committee, vice chair for the University and College Police Section, as well as the SACOP representative for Delaware. I am also a past president for International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA), and I am currently serving in my second 2-year term as president for the Delaware Association of Chiefs of Police (DACP).
As an association leader, I have been battle tested over the past 3 years, during perhaps the most tumultuous time our profession has ever seen, and worked tirelessly to hold off legislative changes to qualified immunity, elimination of the law enforcement officers bill of rights and the creation of civilian review boards, with decision making authority. I also spearheaded a statewide body worn camera and video evidence repository. While I embrace change and efforts to improve policing, I have not and will not remain silent when police reform initiatives are introduced that essentially punish our dedicated police officers who serve on the front line. This unprecedented experience has been invaluable and prepared me well to serve the IACP as your next 4th Vice President.
I understand the significance of selecting the right leader for this critically important position and the magnitude of what is at stake. I want to work to rebuild trust, not just for good community relations but also to address our recruitment and retention crisis. It’s time to rebrand the nobility of policing, while keeping officer safety and wellness at the forefront of our basic leadership mission. I am a believer in advancing technology, state accreditation, enhanced supervision, and high-quality training. I possess a unique combination of experience, knowledge, and a collaborative mindset that will be beneficial considering the diverse needs of our membership.
I look forward to participating in the election process again this year and, if successful, facing the challenges ahead to advance the mission of our outstanding organization. Please remember that the IACP is an international association, and, as such, elected members of the executive board should reflect geographic diversity that will enhance thoughts and viewpoints to make use stronger as we move forward together.
The consideration of your support and vote on Monday, October 16th, are greatly appreciated!
Sincerely,
Pat
You can read more information about me on Ogden for IACP or on LinkedIn. I humbly ask for your consideration to put Delaware on the IACP map in the months ahead and your vote in San Diego, California, this fall.
