The quiet halls of Brown University were shattered by gunfire, leaving two dead and nine wounded. In the wake of the tragedy, a swift and significant change has occurred at the highest levels of campus security.
Rodney Chatman, the university’s campus security chief responsible for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives, has been placed on leave. The decision followed mounting scrutiny regarding security protocols and access control in the wake of the devastating shooting.
Stepping into the role of interim head of Public Safety is Hugh Clements, a name synonymous with law enforcement in Rhode Island. Clements recently retired as the chief of the Providence Police Department after nearly four decades of service, including twelve years as colonel.
Clements’ career didn’t end with his retirement from Providence. He briefly served as director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) within the U.S. Department of Justice, before transitioning to a role as a security consultant. His expertise was immediately sought after by Brown University following the shooting.
University President Christina Paxson has placed Clements in direct reporting to her, signaling the gravity of the situation and the need for immediate accountability. This restructuring comes as questions linger about how the shooter was able to access the building where the violence unfolded.
Disturbingly, reports have surfaced of a warning unheeded. A janitor at the university claims to have alerted authorities to a suspicious individual – later identified as the shooter – days before the attack. The details of this warning and the response, or lack thereof, are now under intense examination.
Chatman’s leadership had already been the subject of internal discord. He faced two votes of no confidence from within the Brown Police Department, reflecting “deep concern” about his ability to effectively lead the force. These concerns predate the recent tragedy.
Further fueling the controversy, a departing officer described the workplace under Chatman’s direction as a deeply dysfunctional environment, using stark and unsettling language to characterize the atmosphere. The shooting has brought these previously voiced concerns into sharp focus.
The appointment of Clements represents a decisive move by Brown University to restore confidence in campus security. It’s a response born from tragedy, and a clear indication of a desire for a renewed focus on safety and preparedness.
