FAIRFIELD, Conn.—Former Fairfield Police Chief Gary MacNamara has joined Sacred Heart University in the role of executive director for public safety and government affairs. He comes to the University after spending the past 18 years as chief of the Fairfield Police Department. During his tenure, the Fairfield Department has had one of the best reputations in the state.
He spent his entire career as a police officer in Fairfield, beginning in 1991 as a patrol officer and moving up through the ranks until he became chief in 2010. During that time, he successfully completed many special assignments and oversaw a variety of departments and functions. He also has served as an adjunct professor since 2010—first for Post University in Middlebury and then for the University of New Haven.
In his role at Sacred Heart, MacNamara will provide strategic, visionary leadership and progressive management of the campus safety, security and emergency planning functions. He will oversee the safety and security of the campus and ensure that safety and security initiatives and day-to-day protocols are aligned with the University’s goals. He will also act as a liaison between the University and city/state officials.
“The University has had a wonderful relationship with Gary throughout his time as police chief in Fairfield. We have collaborated on projects and worked with him on programs designed to bring extra security to the members of the SHU community,” said David Coppola, senior vice president for administration at SHU. “We are excited to have Gary and his expertise here at the University and look forward to his recommendations to ensure the safety of the campus under all kinds of circumstances.”
MacNamara holds a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of New Haven. He is also a graduate of the 219th session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico (2004) and the 61st session of the FBI Leeds Training in Fredericksburg, Va. (2008).
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As the second-largest independent Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 80 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus, which is located about an hour from Manhattan and 2.5 hours from Boston. Sacred Heart also has satellites in Connecticut, Luxembourg and Ireland. More than 8,500 students attend the University’s eight colleges and schools: Arts & Sciences; Communication, Media & the Arts; Computer Science & Engineering; Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education; the Jack Welch College of Business; Nursing; and St. Vincent’s College. Sacred Heart is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts, yet at the same time develops students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives and professions and in their communities. A spirit of service, entrepreneurship and social justice is the essence of who we are and can be seen inside and outside the classroom as students learn how to make a difference far beyond Fairfield. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 384 Colleges–2019 Edition, “Best in the Northeast” and Best 267 Business Schools–2018 Edition. It also placed SHU on its lists for “Happiest Students” and “Most Engaged in Community Service,” each of which comprises only 20 U.S. schools. Sacred Heart has a Division I athletics program. www.sacredheart.edu