After 37 years in law enforcement, Carl Metzger ’03MS is hanging up his badge.
UCF’s associate vice president of public safety recently announced his retirement after 11 years of service to the university and a career defined by leadership, integrity and compassion.
At a celebration held in his honor, Metzger reflected on what has mattered most throughout his decades of service.
“Working in law enforcement isn’t always easy, but it’s the relationships you build along the way that make it all worthwhile.” — Carl Metzger ’03MS, associate vice president of public safety
“The one thing that stands out the most is the people,” he says.
Metzger began his career as a patrol officer with the Orlando Police Department, rising through the ranks to become the patrol services bureau commander. In 2014, he joined the UCF Police Department (UCFPD) as deputy chief over the operations bureau and was named chief in 2018 following Chief Emeritus Richard Beary’s retirement. In Summer 2025, Metzger stepped down as chief but continued serving as UCF’s associate vice president of public safety.
An Impactful Legacy
As chief, Metzger led UCF through public safety responses to multiple hurricanes, managed logistics for high-profile events such as ESPN’s College GameDay and Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff, and oversaw the university’s transition into the Big 12 Conference — a shift that significantly increased the complexity of game day operations.
He also established key priorities for the department, including enhanced active threat response training and building hardening initiatives. Although UCFPD officers had already received state-mandated active threat training, Metzger pushed for more immersive, realistic preparation. Under his leadership, officers began participating in annual simulations featuring the sights, sounds and even smells of real-life crisis scenarios — an approach he says is critical for developing instinctive, second-nature responses.
Metzger further led substantial upgrades to campus security infrastructure, including the installation of additional cameras and access control systems. Today, most campus buildings can be locked down instantly at the push of a button.
At his farewell ceremony, a common theme emerged among guest speakers: Metzger led with compassion, empathy and excellence.
“You have led with a steady hand and an open heart, always putting people first,” says Student Government President and Board of Trustees member Luci Blanco at the ceremony. “You have modeled what it means to lead with empathy and to serve with grace, and I think that is the greatest legacy any leader can leave behind.”
Recently appointed UCF Chief of Police Robin Griffin-Kitzerow also expressed gratitude for Metzger’s mentorship and acknowledged she has big shoes to fill.
“Some shoes aren’t meant to be filled because they are as unique and special as the person who wore them,” Chief Griffin-Kitzerow says. “We can never replace you, but we’ll continue on the path you set and remain grateful for the lessons that inspired our growth and helped make UCFPD a premier law enforcement agency.”
A Champion for Mental Health
Beyond his operational leadership, Metzger has been a dedicated champion for mental health, consistently advocating for expanded resources to support both the community and law enforcement officers. Under his leadership, UCFPD became the first law enforcement agency in Central Florida to achieve 100% crisis intervention training for all sworn officers, ensuring they are equipped to respond to individuals experiencing mental health crises with compassion and effectiveness.
He also spearheaded suicide prevention efforts, including hosting QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) trainings for law enforcement and the broader community. His initiatives included wearing green patches during Mental Health Awareness Month, wrapping a police cruiser in green, participating in NAMI’s annual 5K and organizing a campus walk that raised over $15,000 for suicide prevention. Metzger also served on the boards of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Greater Orlando and Central Florida Cares.
Looking Ahead
Although his retirement closes a remarkable chapter, Metzger’s impact on UCF and the broader community will be felt for years to come.
“Thank you to my public safety family for 11 years of teamwork and service,” Metzger says. “Together, we built what I believe is the most professional campus public safety department in the nation, with a culture of caring and excellence that is second to none.”
