Law enforcement veteran Michael Anthony Benford has been selected as the University of Houston-Downtown's (UHD) next chief of police. Benford will be officially sworn in at 9 a.m., Dec. 16 in UHD's Milam/Travis Room in the Girard Street Building. Faculty, staff, students and community members are invited to this event.

Benford previously served as the as assistant chief of police for Houston Independent School District (HISD). Prior to this role, he served HISD in several leadership roles including lieutenant for the Operations Bureau, lieutenant for the Bureau of Professional Standards, patrol supervisor, internal affairs supervisor, and field training supervisor. He also served as a lieutenant for the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District and an officer for the Port of Houston.

Ceaser Moore, University of Houston System associate vice chancellor for Police Operations, will administer the oath of office.