Annette Spicuzza, assistant police chief at the University of Washington in Seattle, has been named chief of police at the University of California, Davis, effective May 16.

Spicuzza becomes the first woman to receive a permanent appointment to the position of police chief at UC Davis.

"UC Davis is very fortunate to have attracted a candidate of Annette Spicuzza's experience who understands the role of a university police department," said Stan Nosek, vice chancellor for administration. "She is a proven law enforcement professional who is exceptionally prepared for this leadership role serving our Davis and Medical Center campuses."

Added Interim Chief Leslie Brown (who was not a candidate for the chief's post): "The police department is excited and pleased that Annette has accepted this position. She seems extremely well suited for the role of chief. I know that I can speak for the entire department when I say we are looking forward to Annette's leadership skills."

Spicuzza comes to UC Davis with nearly 20 years of progressive policing experience, having both operational and administrative experience in the municipal and university settings.

She began her career in July 1985 as a patrol officer on the streets of Chicago before moving to Kennewick, Wash., where she was promoted to sergeant and served as the department's first female supervisor. She then moved on to the City of Federal Way, Wash., Department of Public Safety, hired as a lieutenant to serve as one of the original members of the management team responsible for establishing a new municipal police department. During her tenure there, she was promoted to commander, while responsible for the hiring and training of officers.

In 2000 she was hired as assistant chief of police at the University of Washington to lead the Support Services Division, where she has had a full range of experience unique to campus policing. The division includes, among other units, investigations, internal affairs, public information, crime prevention, crime analysis, recruitment, hiring, training, property and evidence.

Her administrative experience at UW includes the reintroduction of an internship program that allows for mentoring between the police department and community members, including students who can earn college credit. In addition, Spicuzza helped coordinate the department's first Citizen Academy, including classroom sessions and ride-alongs, to provide members of the community a better sense of the job and role of police officers on the college campus. Her operational experience has included working with the National Football League and University of Washington athletics to coordinate and provide security for players and spectators at UW's Husky Stadium.

Spicuzza has a bachelor's in criminal justice from Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, and is working on a master's in public administration at City University, Bellevue, Wash.

In announcing Spicuzza's appointment, Nosek also thanked the UC Davis Police command staff for "working diligently to keep the department moving forward during this period of transition." In particular, he thanked former Interim Chief Rita Spaur (now police chief at UC Merced), Lieutenants Matt Carmichael and Joyce Souza, all the sergeants and Interim Chief Brown who will continue in that role until Chief Spicuzza's appointment begins.

The UC Davis Police Department currently employs 44 sworn peace officers, eight public safety dispatchers, 28 career staff and more than 50 student employees. The department's primary investigation and enforcement area encompasses more than 50 square miles and serves a population, on any given day, of more than 70,000 faculty, staff, students, patients, and visitors on the main campus in Davis and at the Medical Center in Sacramento.

The UC Davis Police Department is certified by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).