DENVER– (Tuesday, August 22, 2023) – The Auraria Higher Education Center (AHEC) has named Jason Mollendor as its new Auraria Campus Police Department (ACPD) Chief of Police. Located in the heart of Downtown Denver, the Auraria Campus is a 150-acre dynamic and vibrant campus shared by three separate and distinct institutions of higher learning: Community College of Denver (CCD), University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) and Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver). Commander Mollendor has served as Interim Chief since January 2023 and has led the ACPD with a deep sense of integrity and commitment.
Since 2001, Mollendor has held a variety of positions for the Auraria Campus Police Department, including patrol, investigations, and command. In his new role, he will be responsible for overseeing the safety of nearly 38,000 students and 5,000 faculty and staff members who come to the Auraria Campus each year.
In a joint statement, MSU Denver President Janine Davidson, Ph.D., CCD President Marielena DeSanctis, Ph.D., CU Denver Chancellor Michelle Marks, Ph.D., and AHEC Chief Executive Officer Colleen Walker, MBA, shared their enthusiasm for the appointment: “Jason Mollendor is a strong leader in our community, making us confident in his new role as ACPD’s Chief of Police. Not only does he bring an extensive knowledge of the Auraria Campus and its surrounding community to the role, as a graduate of the Colorado Community College System, MSU Denver and CU Denver, he exemplifies the profound qualities that students earn within our collective higher education programs.”
“I am honored to serve as the next Chief of Police for the Auraria Campus,” stated Mollendor. “I consider overseeing the safety and well-being of our Auraria Campus community one of the most impactful and important roles on the campus. I feel very fortunate to hold such a prestigious position on a campus that I love and consider my home.”
During his 22-year tenure with the ACPD, Mollendor has become highly trained in the safety and protection of campus life. He is well-versed in compliance with the Clery Act, Title IX regulations, and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). In recent years, Mollendor has been recognized as an ally by the Auraria Campus LGBTQIA+ Center and the Phoenix Center and was awarded a “Lifesaving Medal” for supporting a student in crisis. He also has participated in the planning and execution of several high-profile campus events, including the Democratic National Convention and two on-site visits from sitting U.S. Presidents.
Mollendor also boasts extensive training beyond his role as Chief of Police. He held secret security clearance from the FBI for his work with the Joint Terrorism Task Force. Additionally, he was deputized as a Special Deputy U.S. Marshal for his work on the Adam Walsh Task Force, where he served as a Defensive Tactics Instructor for 14 years. Mollendor is a Peace Operations Specialized Training (POST) certified firearms instructor, has an advanced certification in dignitary protection, and serves as a member of both the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators. He also served two terms as the vice president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #28.
A true advocate for growth through education, Mollendor serves as a lecturer at the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs. The Colorado native earned his Associate of Applied Science from Northeastern Junior College, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Criminology from MSU Denver, and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from CU Denver.
For more information on the AHEC Chief of Police community engagement and national search process, click here.
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