BUFFALO, NY - Law enforcement wasn’t the plan for Kimberly L. Beaty.
A 1986 communication studies major at Canisius, Beaty thought she would pursue teaching or news reporting. Fast forward three decades. Beaty is the new director of public safety at Canisius University and the first woman to hold the position.
Previously deputy police commissioner of Operations and Homeland Security for the Buffalo Police Department, Beaty served 32 years on the force.
“Gary Everett inspired me to pursue law enforcement,” Beaty says. Everett devoted 33 years to the college’s Public Safety Department, serving 15 as director. “He had a presence about him. He embodied a unique blend of instinct for the job and dedication to the students. He always made us feel safe.”
When the Buffalo Police Department came recruiting on campus during Beaty’s senior year, she signed up.
Beaty started as a patrol officer after graduation. Her education, especially her excellent communication skills, proved essential to her success with the Buffalo Police Department, particularly in her work as a training officer, in 2000. She was a facilitator for the Erie County Law Enforcement Training Academy and consulted on the Academy’s efforts to promote problem-solving strategies in community policing, and efforts to reduce racial profiling and biased policing.
When the Buffalo Police Department elevated Beaty to deputy police commissioner in 2014, she became the first woman in the top ranks of the department in more than eight years.
Beaty was lauded for her performance as head of the city’s busiest district, E-District, from 2011-14 when she supervised more than 100 uniformed officers, detectives, supervisors and civilian employees and worked with area citizens, including those in Canisius’ Hamlin Park neighborhood. As deputy police commissioner, Beaty oversaw department-wide operations, training, specialized units, investigative services, homeland security and special events.
“Throughout my career, I watched over Canisius students and the Hamlin Park neighborhood,” she says.
And now Beaty comes full circle.
“God opened the door to a new opportunity and I’m ready for the next chapter in my life,” she says. “I am so honored.”
Beaty is the mother of a 21-year old daughter and stepmother to a 33-year old son, with her husband, Vernon and hopes parents finds comfort knowing that she understands their concerns. She laughs when recalling her father and his worries for his only daughter. Beaty has five brothers.
“I always had a curfew,” she says. “Even when I was on the police force, I had to let my father know if I would be late from the job. My parents just wanted to know I was OK and of course now, as a mother, I understand that.”
Beaty comes to Canisius highly decorated. She is the recipient of many recognitions for her efforts in community policing, diversity and problem solving. She brings to the job expertise in police work, enthusiasm and creativity.
Coupled with her compassion for people and her dedication to the students of Canisius, she is already being compared to a man she calls her friend, Gary Everett.
“In a university setting, there is no higher compliment,” Beaty says.
