Bridging the Gap

Former Cincinnati firefighter and current UC emergency management leader Ed Dadosky joins hosts Darren Chenault and Kelly Cantwell to talk about how UC prepares for and manages emergencies of all kinds. Ed walks through how UC coordinates with campus departments and external partners like police, fire, and UC Health; how the Emergency Operations Center supports major events like football games, graduations, and campus protests; and why every building and department needs a solid emergency and business continuity plan. Whether you’re a student, faculty or staff member, or part of the broader Bearcat community, this episode sheds light on the quiet, critical work that keeps UC ready when it matters most. Chapters (00:00:00) - .

In this episode of Bridging the Gap, hosts Darryn Chenault and Kelly Cantwell sit down with University of Cincinnati Police Chief and Director of Public Safety Eliot Isaac for an in-depth conversation about leadership, service, and keeping an urban campus safe. With 37 years in law enforcement—including serving as Chief of the Cincinnati Police Department—Chief Isaac reflects on his journey from patrol officer to city chief, and now to leading the University of Cincinnati Public Safety Department. He shares what inspired him to continue serving after retiring from CPD, what makes campus policing unique, and how his deep roots in Cincinnati shape his approach to protecting students, faculty, and staff. The conversation explores the realities of safety at an urban university. Chief Isaac explains how UCPD works closely with CPD through a memorandum of understanding that allows for seamless collaboration and coordinated response in the neighborhoods surrounding campus. Listeners will also hear about proactive safety efforts, community engagement, expanding the university’s footprint in key areas, and the broader scope of public safety—from fire prevention to access control. Above all, Chief Isaac emphasizes a simple but powerful philosophy: be helpful, stay engaged, and always put the community's safety first. Whether you’re a student, parent, staff member, or community partner, this episode offers an inside look at how UC is working every day to create a safer, stronger campus community.

In this episode of Bridging the Gap, UC Public Safety goes inside the world of police accreditation — what it means, why it matters, and how it strengthens trust, transparency, and professionalism. Chief of Staff John DeJarnette joins the conversation alongside Nicole Haberer, UCPD’s Clery Compliance Specialist, to discuss the University of Cincinnati Police Division’s continued commitment to excellence. After earning accreditation through International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) in 2019 and reaccreditation in 2023, UCPD is now pursuing accreditation through the Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. From the state level, Ed Burkhammer, Director of Law Enforcement Services with the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services, and Program Manager Charity Detty-Wingo explain how Ohio built a first-of-its-kind accreditation program designed to remove common barriers like cost, staffing, and access to resources — making high standards attainable for agencies of all sizes. Listeners will hear how accreditation goes beyond “checking a box.” The discussion explores: How outside assessors review policies, facilities, and training Why annual use-of-force analysis drives better officer training The importance of culture in sustaining excellence How accreditation supports officer wellness and accountability What this means for students, parents, faculty, and staff At its core, this episode highlights a shared commitment: ensuring the UC community is served by a police department that actively pursues best practices and continuous improvement. Whether you're a parent sending a student to campus, a member of the UC community, or simply interested in how law enforcement agencies elevate professional standards, this conversation offers an inside look at how UCPD is working to raise the bar — and keep it there.

We’re kicking off 2026 with a deep dive into campus safety and technology on this episode of Bridging the Gap. Hosts Darryn Chenault and Kelly Cantwell are joined by Kawanda Dedrick-Thomas, Director of Technical Operations for Public Safety IT, and Noah Rezene, Project Coordinator, to break down how cameras, access control, and digital infrastructure help keep the university community safe. From how camera locations are selected using crime data, to what DTS (Digital Technology Solutions) actually does, to the role of AI-powered analytics, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the systems working behind the scenes every day. The team discusses partnerships with public safety, coordination across campus units, privacy considerations, camera maintenance, and why cameras are about deterrence and safety—not surveillance. Whether you’re a student, parent, staff member, or just curious about how modern campus security works, this episode offers an insightful and approachable look at the teamwork and technology protecting the community. Chapters (00:00:00) - Happy New Year with Public Safety Personnel(00:00:47) - Projects and Operations, Technical Operations(00:02:24) - DTS and Public Safety: How Do They Work Together?(00:04:47) - Deciding where to place a camera on campus(00:07:09) - How Do You Manage UCPD's Security Cameras?(00:10:03) - How Can Crime Scene Cameras Help UC Police?(00:13:15) - Public Safety: Security Cameras on Campus(00:17:47) - Facial Recognition on Security Cameras

In this episode of Bridging the Gap, Lt. Rob Gutierrez joins hosts Darryn Chenault and Kelly Cantwell for a candid look inside the training that shapes University of Cincinnati Police Division (UCPD) officers. With nearly 25 years of experience on campus, Lt. Gutierrez breaks down the wide range of required and elective training UCPD officers complete each year—from active threat preparedness and scenario-based exercises to ICAT, de-escalation, crisis intervention, and bias-awareness training. He shares how UCPD balances “hard” and “soft” skills to protect the campus community, why customer-service-focused policing is central to the department’s mission, and how continuous training equips officers to respond with professionalism, empathy, and confidence—especially when supporting students in crisis. Whether you're a student, parent, faculty member, or staff, this episode offers a clear and accessible look at the work happening behind the scenes to keep our campus safe, prepared, and connected.

In this episode of Bridging the Gap, Officer Darryn Chenault and Public Information Officer Kelly Cantwell sit down with Lieutenant Jennifer McMahon and Crime Analyst Rachel Kleindorfer from the University of Cincinnati Police Division to talk about burglary prevention on and around campus. They break down recent trends, common mistakes students make, and simple, effective ways to protect your belongings—whether you live in a residence hall or off campus. From locking windows and keeping your information private online to using cameras and staying aware of your surroundings, this episode is packed with practical advice every Bearcat should know before heading home for break. Tune in to learn how UCPD works to keep the UC community safe—and what you can do to help.

We're back for part two of our conversation with the UC Police Division's Community Engagement Unit and UC parent Heather Tenney to discuss common questions parents have about safety on and around campus.

Join us for the first episode of Bridging the Gap, a new podcast from the University of Cincinnati Public Safety Department. In this episode the hosts of Bridging the Gap, Darryn Chenault and Kelly Cantwell, sit down with the UC Police Division's Community Engagement Unit and UC parent Heather Tenney to discuss common questions parents have about safety on and around campus. This is part one of our conversation, part two will be released at the beginning of October. Chapters (00:00:00) - Bridging the Gap(00:04:50) - Safety on and off the UC campus(00:09:07) - Car Break-ins, Guns(00:11:02) - Do Dash Cams Help With Auto Theft?(00:13:55) - Bearcat Guardian: How to Walk Home at Night(00:18:49) - UC Police: On-Campus Crime(00:24:18) - Crime Reduction on the University of Cincinnati Campus

Find out what the new podcast from the University of Cincinnati Public Safety Department is all about! Chapters (00:00:00) - Bridging the Gap: UC Public Safety