Jennifer Fila New Chief

Of SUNY Oneonta Police

ONEONTA – Following a national search, SUNY Oneonta has selected Jennifer Fila to serve as the college’s next University Police Department chief, the college

Fila, who will begin on July 12, has more than 19 years of policing experience, most recently with the University Police Department SUNY Albany, most recently as deputy chief.

A search committee reviewed nearly 70 applications, conducted several telephone interviews and narrowed down the candidate pool to four finalists.

A series of on-campus open forums were held, one for each candidate, to provide members of the SUNY Oneonta and greater Oneonta communities an opportunity to meet the candidates and ask questions. Feedback from the community was also solicited throughout the search and interview process.

“Our goal was to search for highly qualified candidates who demonstrate a commitment to evidence-based and community policing, and who understand the needs of a complex, diverse college campus,” said SUNY Oneonta Vice President for Student Development Franklin D. Chambers.

He said she will play “a crucial role in the development and oversight of a strategy to enhance the trust between UPD and members of the university community.”

Fila earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Mercy College and a master’s in public administration from Marist College. She will succeed Daniel P. Chambers, who retired at the end of May after four years as police chief and nearly a year as interim chief.