Chancellor announces new chief of police

On Monday, September 6, USC Aiken accepted a new chief of police, Jason Zike.

The chancellor sent out an email containing information on Zike the same day. 

“A graduate of Western Carolina University and several professional development training programs offered by the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy, Jason brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to USC Aiken.” 

Zike was also a captain in the Columbia College Police Department and is currently a “command sergeant major in the N.C. Army National Guard.” 

According to the chancellor, Zike “is committed to providing a safe learning and working environment for every member of our campus,” which, as she follows, is “critical to our (USCA) mission.”

On the website, the USCA Police Department’s mission says, “The mission of the USC Aiken Police Department is to interact with and serve the campus community; protect life and property; to enforce the law; and to provide emergency medical first response to the campus community.”

Further, the interaction between the campus and the department forms a “cooperative community policing effort” which aids in the prevention of crime. Above all, the community being served, having “faith in us” and awareness of the department’s ability is “important,” according to the USCA Police Department.

News and Information Director Leslie Hull-Ryde said, “this is an important position in our campus community.”

Hull-Ryde also described the background of all officers in the USCA Police Department, noting that “each member of our police force is a certified law enforcement officer.  Like all law enforcement officers in the state, each officer in the USC Aiken Police Department is trained and certified by the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy.”

Chancellor Jordan encouraged faculty to join her in “extending an enthusiastic Pacer welcome.”