July 6, 2020
Contact: Sara Diedrich, diedrichs@missouri.edu, 573-882-3243
MUPD Major Brian Weimer named interim chief, following the retirement of Chief Doug Schwandt.
University of Missouri Vice Chancellor for Operations Gary Ward announced today that Brian Weimer, major of operations with the MU Police Department, has been named interim chief of MUPD. He replaces Chief Doug Schwandt, who is retiring after 20 years of service to the department, effective Aug. 3.
“I am excited to continue MUPD’s work of maintaining our strong relationships with students, staff and faculty and the greater Columbia community,” Weimer said. “I am proud of our professional department where the culture is to serve our students, staff and faculty.
“The department’s top priorities will remain the same — to ensure a peaceful quality of life for our community, to continue establishing community partnerships and to support a safe learning environment.”
MUPD is the primary law enforcement response agency for MU and embraces a community policing model. MUPD is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies and through the International Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, which assures that the department’s policies and procedures are on the cutting edge of best practices in law enforcement.
Weimer said MUPD is committed to having a department that reflects the diversity of the community it serves.
“Our officers interact with all members of our community and work to meet their needs and to ensure they feel safe and included,” he said.
Weimer has been with MUPD since 1992, when he joined the department as an officer. Currently, he is major of operations, which includes overseeing the patrol division, the crime prevention unit, the investigation division and staff services. Among his many responsibilities is overseeing special events, and conducting selection and promotion of sworn officers. He oversees officer training and the department’s accreditation efforts and serves as MUPD’s internal affairs investigator.
“Brian has a tremendous amount of experience interacting with campus organizations and student groups, which will be invaluable in his role as interim chief,” Ward said. “Brian has been a part of the fabric of this campus community for a very long time, and I am very excited he has agreed to serve in this interim role.”
Weimer replaces Schwandt, who announced his retirement late last month. Schwandt joined MUPD more than 20 years ago, becoming chief in 2015. Before coming to MU, he served 21 years with the Columbia Police Department. Ward is planning a national search for MUPD’s permanent chief.
“I am grateful for Doug’s years of service to the campus community and his ability to build strong campus partnerships with students, faculty and staff,” Ward said.
Weimer has a master of science in criminal justice from Columbia College and bachelor of science in criminal justice from University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg. He attended Northwestern, 317th Class of the Police Staff and Command (SPSC), Federal Bureau of Investigations, 230th Session National Academy (FBINA), and Southern Police Institute, 103rd Class of the Administrative Officers Course (SPI). He was the recipient of the Barbara S. Uehling Award for Administrative Excellence in 2016.
