Chief Patrick Treacy has worked in municipal and campus police departments, bringing a variety of experience to the campus.
Patrick Treacy has been named the new chief of police at Moraine Valley Community College, following the retirement of Chief Pat O’Connor last April. He started at the college on March 1. Throughout his 25-year career in law enforcement, Chief Treacy has worked in municipal and campus police departments, bringing a variety of experience to the campus.
“Chief Treacy comes to Moraine Valley with higher education, suburban and small town experience. His extensive command experience along with community policing philosophy blends well with the college’s police department focus. His calm demeanor supports his safe campus approach,” said Rick Hendricks, vice president of Administrative Services.
The new chief most recently was the police commander in the Cortland Police Department, where he began in 2016. He also worked at the Warrenville Police Department from 1986 to 2013, reaching the position of patrol division commander. From 2013 to 2016, he was the sergeant/watch commander for Aurora University’s Campus Safety department.
“I’m very excited to be at Moraine Valley because I really enjoy working in a college setting,” Chief Treacy said. “Besides getting to know and working with my officers, being back on a campus is what I’m looking forward to the most. I like working with student workers because they bring a lot of diversity, energy and vitality to the environment. When everyone returns to campus, I hope to build up our auxiliary officer program, which employs students interested in law enforcement.”
Chief Treacy found his path to a career in law enforcement while attending the College of DuPage, where he had enrolled because he didn’t know what he wanted to do. He thought he wanted to go into business but kept finding himself enrolled in criminal justice classes and realized that must be his calling. “I’m a big proponent of community colleges because that’s how I found my path,” he said.
One of his biggest challenges will be helping employees and students transition to returning to campus after the pandemic. “It’s going to take a little bit of work getting everyone back. Everyone will be excited, but they will be going through lots of emotions. Our department will play a big role in helping everyone feel comfortable on campus,” he said. “I want my officers to be out there and approachable. The best way to make the campus safe is when people know they can come talk to us about concerns or anything that is strange.”
In addition to his associate degree, Chief Treacy also holds a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice from Aurora University and a Master of Arts in public services management from DePaul University. Among his professional trainings, he is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff & Command and the FBI’s National Academy.
