The University of Colorado Police Department (CUPD) will bid farewell to Commander Paula Balafas later this month, as she becomes the first female police chief at the University of Arizona. After serving CU Boulder for nearly five years and earning two degrees here (bachelor's and master's degrees in English), Balafas said she鈥檒l always be a Buff.听
鈥淟eaving CU Boulder and CUPD is one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make, but I believe I can positively impact the culture at UAPD while also getting the opportunity to take my career to the next level,鈥� she said.
Balafas鈥檚 move, , helps propel the Pac-12 to the head of the pack when it comes to women in police leadership roles. The conference will soon boast five female chiefs, including CUPD Chief Doreen Jokerst, along with chiefs at UC Berkeley, Stanford and Oregon State. Balafas will assume the role in early March.
鈥淲e are excited for Commander Balafas as she takes this next step in her policing career. As Pac-12 chiefs, we will continue to collaborate on progressive initiatives that build trust with our university communities,鈥� said Jokerst, who added she鈥檚 proud of the trusted commander who was often appointed as acting chief if Jokerst was out of town.
Balafas, who has more than 32 years of campus and municipal law enforcement experience, thanked Jokerst for her support.听
鈥淪he has modeled what it means to be a transformational leader,鈥� Balafas said. 鈥淚 will take with me the 鈥榖lueprints鈥� for CUPD鈥檚 many successful programs, such as the embedded victim advocate and co-responder programs, and the domestic violence lethality assessment tools, giving CUPD credit for those innovations.鈥�
News of Balafas鈥� new post was lauded by the , who celebrated her contribution to their mission of promoting women in policing. Balafas is a past president of the organization.
