Lt. Anthony Frisbee from the UC Irvine Police Department has been offered and accepted the role of Interim Chief of the UC Riverside Police Department. He has 30 years of public service, with 17 years at UC Irvine. Lt. Frisbee is a University of California alumni with a Master’s degree in Criminology, Law, and Society. He will begin working with Chief John Freese in January 2022 to ensure a smooth transition in February 2022 when Freese is retiring. Lt. Frisbee will officially assume the interim chief role when Chief Freese swears him in on February 10, 2022.

The plan is to begin the search for a permanent chief in February, with the hopes of that candidate beginning before the next academic school year (Sept./Oct. 2022). An updated timeline will be shared in the new year.

Chief Freese has a long history here at UCR and is a devoted Highlander through and through. 

He first stepped on campus in 1990 as a first-year undergraduate student and is leaving the campus after 27 years of service. During that time, Chief Freese rose through the ranks from patrol to his current role as Interim Chief. 

He has been instrumental in providing a high-level of service to our campus community as it grew from 10,000 to more than 26,000 students, and thousands more faculty and staff members. Even through arduous situations, he has remained a consummate professional who has exhibited integrity, unconditional dedication, and commitment. He has shown himself to be a team player, and we are grateful for his leadership during challenging times.

Please join me in wishing Chief Freese a wonderful retirement, filled with happiness and good health!

A retirement celebration is planned for him on Feb. 11.