Northern Illinois University Appoints Jason John as New Police Chief

Northern Illinois University (NIU) has appointed Jason John as the new chief of its Department of Police and Public Safety. John, who has been serving in an interim capacity since February 2023, succeeds Darren Mitchell, who retired earlier this year.

John brings over two decades of experience to the role, having joined the NIU police department in 2004. He earned his bachelor’s degree in management from NIU in 2003 and has steadily advanced through the ranks, becoming a commander in 2012 and deputy chief in 2017. His deep ties to the community as a longtime resident and alumnus of NIU have informed his approach to campus safety.

In a statement, John expressed pride in his connection to the university and the community. “I’ve been part of this community for more than two decades. I truly believe the NIU police chief should be someone who’s lived this experience,” he said. His commitment to fostering a community-oriented policing strategy reflects his understanding of the campus environment.

Leadership Philosophy and Community Engagement

The selection of John followed a nationwide search, during which NIU officials emphasized the importance of integrity and collaboration. Matt Streb, the Chief Strategy Officer, stated, “We sought a leader with integrity, extensive experience and a proven record of collaboration and commitment. Chief John’s passion for campus policing is evident in all he’s done as a respected leader within the Huskie community.”

As chief, John aims to encourage his officers to engage actively with students and the broader university community. He believes that safety is a shared responsibility, stating, “When I talk about a community-based approach, it’s not just focusing on one specific group. We can’t expect it to work if we don’t have everyone engaged in what we do.”

In a video address released in August, John welcomed students back for the semester and assured them of his department’s commitment to safety. He pledged “around the clock” efforts to keep both students and community members secure.

Goals and Vision for the Future

John outlined several key goals for his tenure as police chief. He intends to ensure that his officers are well-prepared for emergencies and to lead with principles of fairness, equity, transparency, and accountability. Strengthening collaborations between the university and the city of DeKalb is also a priority.

“Resilient leadership means having the courage to make tough decisions when times get hard and the fairness to lead with integrity,” John noted. He stressed the importance of building trust within the community, emphasizing the need for officers to “do the right thing even when nobody’s watching.”

John’s qualifications include receiving the Chief’s Award from NIU in 2023 and participating in the FBI National Academy in 2022, among various other law enforcement training programs. His extensive experience and educational background position him well to lead the police department effectively and positively impact the NIU community.

As he steps into this prominent role, the expectations are high for John to not only uphold safety standards but to foster an inclusive and cooperative environment across the university.