Cleveland State Community College has selected Jennifer Bledsoe as the chief of Campus Police.
Prior to accepting this position, Chief Bledsoe served as a POST certified police officer for 18 years. She was a patrol officer with the University of Tennessee and was assigned to criminal investigations as a detective for over ten years. Most recently, she worked in the Madisonville Office of Probation and Parole as a parole officer.
“We are excited to have Jennifer Bledsoe as our new chief of police,” stated Dr. Michael Stokes, vice president for Student Services. “Her past experiences, including her previous work as a police officer at a university, make her a great fit for our college. We look forward to building on the foundation that our previous Chief Mike Hodges gave to our department as we continue to provide a safe and secure campus environment for our students, employees, and visitors.”
“I started my career in law enforcement at the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 1998,” stated Chief Bledsoe. “That experience gave me a solid foundation in campus law enforcement; which has different needs than city or county agencies. I think it is vital to build relationships between law enforcement and the population that they serve. Campus agencies offer a unique ability to do that through community interaction, programs, and services. When this position came available I saw an opportunity to return to the arena that gave me my start in law enforcement and use my knowledge and experience to have a positive impact on this community.”
Chief Bledsoe continued, “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to build relationships with the Cleveland State campus community and the surrounding area. Cleveland State is a great place to learn, and I want to help provide this community with a Police Department that serves their needs and gives them a safe and positive environment in which to grow and learn.”
Chief Bledsoe received her bachelor of science degree in sociology/criminal justice from the University of Tennessee and is currently working on her master’s in emergency management and homeland security from American Military University.