New chief of UHM Department of Public Safety has police, university experience in law enforcement

Chief Randy West

Randall "Randy" West has been named chief of the UH Mānoa Department of Public Safety. West has over 35 years of experience in law enforcement, including two years with the Laguna Beach Police Department and over 27 years with the Anaheim Police Department. West also brings with him five years of experience as deputy chief of police at the University of Washington Police Department, a full-service CALEA accredited law enforcement agency serving the largest public university campus in the state of Washington. 

Said West, “I am excited about the next chapter in my professional law enforcement/public safety career and look forward to working with the great team of professionals at UH Mānoa DPS, all of whom are dedicated to crime prevention and the safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors at Hawaiʻi’s flagship center of higher learning. “

West began his law enforcement career as a police officer in 1980 with the Laguna Beach, California Police Department. In 1982, he transferred to the Anaheim, California Police Department. He was promoted to sergeant in 1999 and lieutenant in 2003.

Throughout his career at the Anaheim Police Department, West served in patrol operations, traffic bureau, training, information technology, hostage/crisis negotiations, street narcotics and vice investigations. He was also a primary response team commander and the city of Anaheim’s first Homeland Security bureau manager. In 2010, he accepted the position of deputy chief of police at the University of Washington, and had the responsibility of overseeing all law enforcement operations for the UW campus in Seattle. 

West has many goals for the UH Mānoa Department of Public Safety, and hopes “to take the organization to the next level, continue to move forward toward CALEA accreditation, and ensure that we are providing the absolute best service to the community we serve. [By] working diligently with the community we serve, engaging all of our regional public safety partners, and providing excellent service every time, UH Mānoa DPS will collectively work towards enhancing safety for all.” 

Said Campus Services Director Deborah Huebler, “We are thrilled to have Chief West on board and look forward to working with him to grow and improve on the solid foundation set by former Chief Charlie Noffsinger. The depth and breadth of experience that Chief West brings from his decades of work with both municipal and campus police forces will make him an invaluable asset and addition to our UHM Department of Public Safety. Chief West’s demonstrated commitment to service and the vision, passion, and dedication he will bring to the job makes him an exemplary role model for our staff. We are excited to welcome him to our ‘ohana.”

Randy will assume the role of chief of UH Mānoa Department of Public Safety on August 22, 2016. The position was formerly held by Charles Noffsinger, who is currently the assistant vice president for university police and public safety at Penn State University.

West holds a bachelor of science degree in organizational management from the University of La Verne, and a master of arts degree in criminal justice from Chapman University. He is a graduate of the California POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) Supervisory Leadership Institute, the FBI National Academy Session #226 and the California POST Executive certification program. He holds basic, intermediate, advanced, supervisory and management certifications from CA-POST and has presented on technology in law enforcement at various professional and academic forums. He has also served as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Phoenix and Everest College, instructing in the criminal justice discipline.

About UH Mānoa Department of Public Safety

UH Mānoa’s Department of Public Safety is a unit of Campus Services, under the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Administration, Finance and Operations. The unit operates 24 hours per day, seven days per week, to patrol and respond to reports of crime or suspicious activity on UH Mānoa’s campus. DPS also offers a variety of crime prevention and awareness programs, which are available through the department’s Community Policing Unit. Additional services include a campus safety escort service, emergency call boxes, emergency management and more.

For more information, visit: http://www.manoa.hawaii.edu/dps/