Grand Valley State University hosted chief of police candidates for open forums throughout the week, with a final session set to take place Friday.
The finalists in the University’s police chief search—David “Dave” Oslund, Jeff Lillard and Daniel Lindstrom—bring diverse backgrounds in law enforcement and public safety. At the forums, held both in the Kirkhof Center and on Zoom, candidates briefly discuss their job experience and background, followed by a Q&A with members of the GVSU community.
In March, following the retirement of former Chief Brandon DeHaan, Captain Leah Heaton assumed the role of interim chief. Heaton will continue to lead the department until a permanent appointment is made.
Upon registering with the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs for the open forum, candidates’ applications were provided to a representative of the Lanthorn.
Oslund currently serves as Michigan State University’s Emergency Management Division captain, overseeing Emergency Management, along with Fire and Life Safety. Oslund has held various roles at MSU since 2004, from road patrol sergeant to special event unit sergeant. He played a pivotal role in coordinating MSU’s COVID-19 response, faciliating a campus clinic capable of administering 600 vaccinations per day.
Oslund holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from MSU and holds a graduate certificate from the same program. His cover letter emphasizes a commitment to emergency management and fostering relationships within the university setting.
Jeff Lillard is Western Michigan University’s Captain of Parking Services. His 32-year-tenure at WMU includes roles such as captain of security administration and lieutenant/road supervisor. Lillard is recognized for his contributions to campus safety initiatives, technological innovation and community engagement programs.
A WMU alumnus, Lillard earned his Bachelor’s in Business Administration, majoring in Computer Informational Systems, and has completed advanced training in public safety leadership and sports event risk management. His application highlights a focus on community policing, integrating technology to enhance campus security and streamlining parking operations.
Daniel Lindstrom has over 20 years of FBI leadership experience in law enforcement and campus safety. According to his resume, he served as FBI senior liaison to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Headquarters, managed the FBI’s response to the killing of George Floyd and subsequent protests, as well as taught national security seminars at Marymount University and the University of Texas at El Paso.
In his cover letter, Lindstrom emphasizes accountability, inclusion and building trust and relationships across campus. He advocates for cultivating a climate where every member of the community feels secure.
The search for a chief of police is being conducted through Spelman Johnson, an executive search firm specializing in higher education. The position reports to Gregory Sanial, vice president for Finance and Administration at GVSU and treasurer of the Board of Trustees.
The chief will oversee a department responsible for ensuring the safety of over 22,000 students across multiple campuses. Key responsibilities include developing and implementing safety protocols, managing a $4.2 million budget and serving as the University’s Clery compliance officer. The job posting states the ideal candidate will demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, aligning with GVSU’s mission and values.
The University aims to finalize the selection process in the coming weeks, with the new chief expected to assume duties before the start of the fall semester.
The Lanthorn reached out to the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs but did not receive comment by time of publication.
