This week, Vice President Kathleen Shields Anderson announced that Derrick E. Wood, MBA has been selected to serve as Chief of Police for the University of Pennsylvania Police Department (UPPD) following a wide-ranging search.

Derrick has served as a police officer with distinction for over 27 years. Derrick has most recently served in the role of Interim Chief of Police for the UPPD, having joined the Division in 2023 as Deputy Chief of Police Operations.

Prior to coming to Penn, Derrick served as the Chief of the Norristown Police Department, after 24 years with the City of Philadelphia Police Department (PPD).

During his tenure with the Philadelphia Police Department, Derrick held the position of Police Inspector overseeing Recruitment and Background Investigations, where he worked to revamp the recruitment strategy for the Department. In his previous role as Police Inspector of Southwest Division, Derrick managed the largest patrol division in Philadelphia, with a team of over 800 personnel dedicated to a 22 square mile region of the city. His focus on community policing and relationship building with the people of West Philadelphia were hallmarks of his time in this role.

Derrick will apply his years of experience in building relationships with all members of the community along with his attention to supporting and uplifting his team and partners in his role as Chief.

Welcome, Chief Wood!