After 42 years of service, Grand Valley State University’s Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police Brandon DeHaan formally announced his retirement in February.
While DeHaan has officially stepped down as police chief, he will continue working as a civilian consultant for the University and advise the Grand Valley Police Department until his June 1 retirement date. As of March 2, GVPD Captain Leah Heaton has assumed the role of interim chief until the University hires a replacement for DeHaan.
DeHaan received his law enforcement license in 1983 and worked as a part-time officer for GVPD while obtaining a bachelor’s degree at the University. He joined the force as a full-time officer in 1987, became a sergeant in 1997 and a captain in 2004. DeHaan was named GVPD chief in 2017.
“I truly had a great opportunity to work with some great colleagues over the course of many years,” DeHaan said. “That’s not only on the law enforcement side but on the academic and service (sides) as well.”
DeHaan expressed that while he’s had the opportunity to work in various areas of law enforcement, being able to work in a university setting has been the most valuable to him.
“Rarely do you have the opportunity to see the fruits of your labor, but equally as much be part of an organization (with) this much growth and dynamic change over the expanse of one’s work career,” DeHaan stated.
According to DeHaan, GVPD took numerous steps forward during his tenure as chief, including the installation of an extensive, multi-million dollar security camera system on campus. In addition, in 2023, the department received national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), and became the first college police department in the state of Michigan to do so.
DeHaan said that looking back on his career accomplishments, he is ultimately most proud of the GVPD staff as a whole.
“They (GVPD staff) show up every day,” DeHaan. “They’re here and they’re willing to serve and help this community.”
Heaton echoed a similar message of gratitude, this time toward DeHaan’s expertise and knowledge at the University.
“(DeHaan is) nothing short of great,” Heaton said. “I have nothing but the utmost respect for him. There are some things as the chief (that) he has extensive knowledge in. That’s (his knowledge) helping me to finish up as the year (comes to an end). It’s nice for him to be able to stay around and help with those sorts of things.”
The University will be conducting a national search over the summer, and is aiming to field DeHaan’s replacement by the Fall 2025 semester.
“Everyone’s wishing him the best,” Heaton said. “We hope to get a new, great chief in, but it’s gonna be some big, tall shoes to fill.”
