A Durham native, Dean began working in Duke’s Dining Services in 1963 and joined Duke Police in 1973. At that time, he was among only a handful of African-American police   officers at Duke.

“Replacing Director Dean will be a difficult task,” Aaron Graves, Duke’s associate vice president for campus safety and security, wrote in a March memo to Duke Police staff. “He has always risen to the call of duty and has truly been an asset to the university and the law enforcement community.”

Like Dean, the new chief will oversee the department’s daily operations. The university hopes to select the police chief this summer, Graves said. Graves will serve as interim director until the position is filled.

Dean retired from Duke in 2003 but returned in 2006 as DUPD’s interim director after then chief/director Clarence Birkhead left to become Hillsborough’s police chief. After seven months, Dean was appointed permanently to the post.

Over the years, he increased training opportunities for all members of the police department, boosted pay for entry level officers and enhanced employee recognition programs. He spearheaded the establishment of the Duke Police Community and Cultural Affairs Committee, the Community Services Officers program and safety programs such as Dorm Watch. He also improved internal communications by inviting personnel from each Duke Police division to attend senior staff meetings.

Dean started working at Duke in Dining Services, where he stayed for a decade, rising through the ranks to assistant chef before switching to Duke Police in 1973.

“I have always been interested in law enforcement,” he said. “Having grown up in Durham, I wanted to make a difference in my community.”

Dean has an associate degree in police science from Durham Community College and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from North Carolina Central University. He received an Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate from the North Carolina Department of Justice and completed the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Durham program.

One of his key responsibilities is maintaining dialogue between Duke Police and the community. To enhance communication among local law enforcement officials, Dean established monthly meetings with police chiefs at the Durham Police, North Carolina University and Veterans Administration Hospital.

In recognition of his dedication to Duke, Dean received a 2006 Pioneer Award from the Samuel Dubois Cook Society.

Sue Wasiolek, assistant vice president of student affairs, said Dean has been instrumental in enhancing safety for students, faculty and staff.

“No matter what time of the day or night I call him, he is professional, responsive, available, accessible, caring and thorough,” Wasiolek said.

In retirement, Dean said he plans to continue his community work. He has previously volunteered with the Durham CrimeStoppers and Men of Vision, which helps at-risk youth, and currently serves on North Carolina Central University’s Department of Criminal Justice Board.

“I am very proud of the dedicated men and women of this department who work to make our community safe and I’ve enjoyed my time as director,” he said. “I’m looking forward to working with community groups and spending more time with my wife, Sandra. She started to believe I was actually retiring when I bought the golf clubs.”