Brent Plisch has been named interim chief of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department following the resignation of long-serving chief Kristen Roman, a university official announced Monday.
In a press release, UW-Madison Finance and Administration Vice Chancellor Robert Cramer said Plisch will assume Roman’s duties until the university selects a permanent chief. He did not provide a reason for Roman’s resignation
Roman, who was made university police chief in 2017, announced her resignation after seven years of service at UWPD and 26 years with the Madison Police Department.
Plisch has been with the department since 2005 and previously served as an assistant chief of administration and support. Pilsch was a former Army captain prior to his public safety career.
In the release, Cramer described Plisch as an “effective leader” who will “strive to keep our community safe” while also “building bridges to a wide range of stakeholders.”
Cramer said the university has plans to conduct a nationwide search for the department’s next permanent chief. The process will include student and community feedback, and more information about the search will be shared as the process begins.
UW-Madison is investigating alleged violations of “university employment policy and work rules” by Roman, according to the Wisconsin State Journal.
Sreejita Patra is a senior staff writer and the former summer ad sales manager for The Daily Cardinal. She has written for breaking news, campus news and arts and has done extensive reporting on the 2024 presidential race. She also covered the Oregon Village Board for the Oregon Observer.
