Buffalo, NY – Canisius University announced today that Kimberly L. Beaty ’86 is the college’s new director of public safety. She replaces Public Safety Director Wil Johnson who will retire in May after serving Canisius with distinction for 3 years.
Beaty has served as deputy police commissioner of Operations and Homeland Security for the Buffalo Police Department (BPD). She has served in law enforcement within the BPD for 31 years.
Prior to her role as deputy commissioner, Beaty served as chief of the city’s “E” District, which encompasses the diversely populated Bailey/Kensington neighborhoods, the University at Buffalo, Canisius University, and several medical facilities, schools and business districts. She assisted communities in addressing crime and disorder problems by focusing on neighborhood initiative-based projects.
She works as a facilitator for the Erie County Law Enforcement Training Academy, focusing on the topic of Law Enforcement and Diversity Training, and has worked with United Neighborhoods and the University at Buffalo on the “Strategies to Reduce Racial Profiling: Buffalo New York Police Study Circles,” a project funded by the Department of Justice COPS Office.
Training several law enforcement agencies throughout New York State, Deputy Commissioner Beaty worked closely with staff at the Erie County Law Enforcement Academy and has served as a consultant in their efforts to promote problem solving strategies in community policing and efforts to reduce racial profiling and biased policing. As a training officer she worked at the Buffalo Police Training Academy for nine years.
“Kim’s experience as chief of “E” district and her expertise in community policing and diversity training, make her uniquely qualified to head the college’s Department of Public Safety and support the mission of the college,” said Terri L. Mangione, PhD, vice president for student affairs and Title IX coordinator. “I am confident that with her leadership, Canisius will maintain our relationship with our Hamlin Park neighbors and build new relationships within the communities on the East Side of Buffalo.
As director of public safety at Canisius, Beaty will be responsible for providing a safe and secure environment for all Canisius students, faculty, staff and visitors to the campus. Aside from enforcing federal, state and local laws, as well as Canisius’ rules and regulations, Beaty will work to ensure that the Public Safety Department plays a critical role in the college’s emergency preparedness and response, and organizes safety trainings for the entire campus.
Beaty is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions for her efforts in community policing, diversity and problem-solving. She is a member of the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police, New York State Women in Law Enforcement, the Afro-American Police Association of Buffalo, NY, Inc., National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Officers and the Erie County Law Enforcement Foundation. Beaty also serves on the Erie County Law Enforcement Board of Directors and the NYS Office of Emergency and interoperable Communication Board.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from Canisius University in 1986.
Beaty will retire from the Buffalo Police Department in June.
One of 28 Jesuit universities in the nation, Canisius is the premier private university in Western New York.
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