LU names new police chief

Liberty University named its new police chief this week — Col. Richard D. Hinkley, a 1981 alumnus.

Hinkley served in the U.S. Air Force from 1973-1977 before attending Liberty (then Liberty Baptist College) and earning a B.S. degree in Youth in 1981. He worked in security at Liberty until 1990, attaining the rank of lieutenant.

From 1990 to 1996, he served with the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office in New York, first as a corrections officer and then as a deputy.

He returned to Liberty in fall of 1996 and has served the Liberty University Police Department in the areas of patrol, training, supervision, administration, K-9, and as a School Resource Officer for Liberty Christian Academy. He was promoted to major in May 2008 and was responsible for all training and oversight of administrative functions of the LUPD.

Hinkley replaces retired Virginia State Police Capt. Howard Gregory.