Beckner hired as new OSU police chief

Michael Beckner

Beckner hired as new OSU police chief

Monday, December 9, 2024

Media Contact: Shannon Rigsby | Associate Director of Public Information | 405-744-9081 | [email protected]

After a nationwide search, Oklahoma State University has chosen Michael Beckner as the next chief of the OSU Police Department.

His first day will be Jan. 31, 2025. He will succeed Leon Jones, who retired in July after 30 years with the OSUPD.

Eric Polak, interim senior vice president of administration and finance, said Beckner has a down-to-earth, approachable style and an overall philosophy of how a department should work with students that aligns with the university's campus culture.

"The committee was pleased with Michael's focus on how the police department can enhance the overall educational experience for our students," Polak said. "He has a quality track record that demonstrates his commitment to partner with student services and student organizations to create an environment where students can learn and grow on a campus that focuses on their safety."

Beckner started in law enforcement with the Corinth Police Department in Mississippi in June 1995. He's worked in a university setting since 2006 as a detective, then lieutenant, and interim police chief with the University of Alaska-Anchorage. Following his time in Alaska, he was commander of patrol operations with Augusta University in Georgia. He has served as chief of police with Southeastern Louisiana University since July 2020. Beckner is also a veteran, serving in the U.S. Army and Army National Guard.

Beckner said that as a medic in the Army, every day felt like it was the same tasks on repeat. He wanted something with variety. He found it when he joined the Corinth Police Department.

"Being a cop is different every day. I just loved it. Helping people is one reason, but it's also seeing the end results of your work - knowing that you made a difference," he said.

Of his career to date, Beckner is most proud of his programs with community policing and building trust through transparency. He wants a department that's approachable, where officers are known by name.

"I will make sure that our core campus and our housing areas are patrolled heavily," he said. "In a perfect world, when somebody sees the police coming, they don't say, 'What's going on?' They're there so often they say, 'How are you today?' That's what you want."

Beckner is also keen on building on the relationship with the Stillwater Police Department and Payne County Sheriff's Office.

"I think it's going to be a really good partnership - not just a relationship, but a partnership - with the city and county," he said.

Beckner said he is "super stoked" about coming to OSU.

"Chief Jones has done some great things, and we're going to build on that," Beckner said. "I want people to know that I'm not going to come in and change the world, and that's what everybody fears. I plan to go around and talk with everyone first. You don't change until you know what needs to be changed."

Although he had nothing but praise for the university he's leaving, he said coming to OSU provides an opportunity to be at a flagship university, one where he can affect more lives and change more attitudes of people about law enforcement as they graduate college. He will be moving closer to his son, who lives in Tulsa, and he and his wife, Jennifer, fell in love with Stillwater, which he described as a "scary friendly" small town with the convenience of two large cities close by.

"You know, everybody's goal is to go to a bigger place, but we found the best of both worlds: a small town between two major cities and with Big 12 athletics," Beckner said. "We walked around campus and talked with some folks. It's hard to describe, but it's when you go to a place and you just feel comfortable. This is a place where I can finish out my career."

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.