{"id":149910,"date":"2025-11-17T10:20:12","date_gmt":"2025-11-17T15:20:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/?p=149910"},"modified":"2025-11-17T11:51:31","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T16:51:31","slug":"associate-vice-president-of-public-safety-former-police-chief-retires-from-ucf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/associate-vice-president-of-public-safety-former-police-chief-retires-from-ucf\/","title":{"rendered":"Associate Vice President of Public Safety, Former Police Chief Retires From UCF"},"content":{"rendered":"

After 37 years in law enforcement, Carl Metzger \u201903MS<\/strong> is hanging up his badge.<\/p>\n

UCF\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

At a celebration held in his honor, Metzger reflected on what has mattered most throughout his decades of service.<\/p>\n

\u201cWorking in law enforcement isn\u2019t always easy, but it\u2019s the relationships you build along the way that make it all worthwhile.\u201d \u2014 Carl Metzger \u201903MS<\/strong>, associate vice president of public safety<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cThe one thing that stands out the most is the people,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s retirement. In Summer 2025, Metzger stepped down as chief but continued serving as UCF\u2019s associate vice president of public safety.<\/p>\n

An Impactful Legacy<\/h3>\n

As chief, Metzger led UCF through public safety responses to multiple hurricanes, managed logistics for high-profile events such as ESPN\u2019s College GameDay<\/em> and Fox\u2019s Big Noon Kickoff<\/em>, and oversaw the university\u2019s transition into the Big 12 Conference \u2014 a shift that significantly increased the complexity of game day operations.<\/p>\n

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 \u2014 an approach he says is critical for developing instinctive, second-nature responses.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

At his farewell ceremony, a common theme emerged among guest speakers: Metzger led with compassion, empathy and excellence.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have led with a steady hand and an open heart, always putting people first,\u201d says Student Government President and Board of Trustees member Luci Blanco at the ceremony. \u201cYou 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.\u201d<\/p>\n