John F. Healy will be the next chief of the Yale Police Department (YPD), following a comprehensive national search, university leaders announced today.John Barden, vice president for campus services and technology, and Duane Lovello, head of Yale Public Safety, announced Healy’s appointment, effective August 1, in a joint message to the Yale community.Barden and Lovello called Healy, who currently serves as acting chief of the YPD, “an accomplished law enforcement leader,” and said his experience in both the Yale and New Haven Police Departments has allowed him to build strong relationships in the campus and New Haven communities. Healy was selected through an extensive process involving senior university leaders, members of the Public Safety Advisory Board, Office of the Secretary and Vice President for University Life, Yale Public Safety, a variety of other administrative units, and representatives of the City of New Haven. “At Yale, John has guided the department through significant leadership transitions, while advancing Yale Public Safety and university initiatives,” Barden and Lovello wrote. “He has also fortified our strong relationship with the New Haven Police Department (NHPD), leading meaningful pilot programs focused on maintaining exceptional levels of service and rapid response times to incidents affecting our community, such as noise complaints, disturbances, and theft.”Healy began his law enforcement career with the NHPD in 2004 and rose through the ranks to captain. In that role, he oversaw the city’s investigative operations, leading a large team of detectives and making improvements to public safety infrastructure and operational efficiency. The NHPD named him Officer of the Year in 2020, and his collaborative approach to law enforcement has earned recognition from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, state leaders, and other organizations.Healy retired from the NHPD in 2023 and joined the YPD that same year as captain, overseeing patrol operations, community engagement, and emergency services. He became acting chief in 2026, after former YPD Chief Anthony Campbell accepted a new role in Massachusetts.Healy earned a bachelor’s degree in business and finance from Marist College, and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of New Haven. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the Police Executive Research Forum Senior Management Institute for Policing. “John’s thoughtful and strategic leadership and collaborative approach will advance the public safety mission at Yale, bringing about new opportunities to support the Yale community and continue its partnership with New Haven,” Barden and Lovello wrote. “His proven commitment to professional integrity, transparency, and service above self marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for our campus community.”