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There’s a new sheriff in town – or rather, a new deputy police chief at Millersville University’s police department. Bill Hickey, who began his role in early January, takes over the position as former deputy police chief Howard Bauman retires after 33 years of service.
A Millersville borough local, Hickey says he is excited to serve and give back to the community he calls home. “I’ve always felt connected to Millersville University,” he says. In Hickey’s previous roles, he served as an officer, detective, sergeant and as a police lieutenant at the Lancaster Bureau of Police where he served for over 25 years. He holds an associate degree in criminal justice and police science from Delaware County Community College and a bachelor’s degree in the same area of study from West Chester University. His interest in the field began when he was a PASSHE student majoring in communications at Lock Haven University. Hickey took an elective course on juvenile delinquency that he said, “really sparked my interest in the subject.” He changed schools and majors shortly thereafter.
With Hickey’s decades of experience in the police force across various departments and working in the local community, he says he’s ready to take on the job. “I was fortunate to have a career where I was able to change roles every few years to experience new things and do some non-traditional police work,” says Hickey. “Every facet of my career had something that stood out to me. When I was a younger patrol officer, I really enjoyed being a field training officer where I taught up-and-coming officers the job and mentored them. Many of the officers I trained and supervised are now in leadership positions in the bureau, including the current chief of police.” Over those years, his work occasionally overlapped with MUPD and its officers and often involved educating the community on matters of safety, promoting the department and serving as the public information officer.
“I was thrilled Bill was interested in the deputy chief position because of his strong background as an officer, detective, supervisor, and leader in nearby Lancaster City,” says Pete Anders, chief of police at Millersville. “I sought the right police leader at my school, where many of my friends’ children live and study, someone who treats others like they treat their own family. At the recent Martin Luther King breakfast, I received regular affirmation from church and civic leaders of Bill’s compassion, professionalism, and engagement with community members. Deputy Chief Hickey will be a servant leader with our department and our university community.”
To learn more about the services and resources the MUPD offers, visit millersville.edu/police
