After the completion of a national search, Vice President for Administration and Chief Financial Officer Debbie Adishian-Astone is pleased to announce that Jim Watson has accepted the position of chief of police, effective June 1, 2020.

Watson brings over 30 years of law enforcement experience to this position. For the past 10 years, he has served Fresno State as a lieutenant, acting chief of police and most recently as interim chief of police. Prior to joining campus, he worked at the City of Fresno Police Department where he served in a variety of positions and gained experience in field operations, policy revisions, personnel, training, investigations, patrol, street violence and internal affairs. Watson graduated from Fresno State with a bachelor's and master’s degree in criminology and has continued his learning through the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) programs, graduating from the Command College as well as completing the management course and executive development course. Since 1990, he has taught law enforcement courses at Fresno City College.

Watson's commitment to law enforcement, education, community-oriented policing and problem-solving is clear. His broad range of experience as a police officer, lieutenant and manager will serve our campus well and we welcome him to this new appointment.