Written by Bailey Wilson, Managing Editor.

The unexpected departure of VSU’s Interim Police Chief leaves the university searching for someone to run the Police Department for the second time since October. However, there has been an increase in interest in VSU’s police department due to a recent pay raise for on-campus officers. 

Interim police chief Dennis Dorsey abruptly announced his departure on Friday, citing personal reasons. His arrival came shortly after former chief Alan Rowe’s resignation, leaving the position vacant once again. 

He served as Interim Chief from Dec. 1, 2024, to Jan. 31, 2025, but had to step away from the position at the end of the month, which has left VSU in need of a police chief once again. 

Major Wilburn Leschber is currently serving as head of the department until a new interim chief takes the position. According to Leschber, Dorsey’s departure has not impacted the day-to-day operations.  

“We’re getting several officers in queue right now for interviews to get our patrol staffing up to par,” Leschber said. 

During Dorsey’s stay, VSU also approved a significant pay increase for its police force, with a starting pay of $49,200 for incoming officers, as well as a $2,000 sign-on bonus for eligible officers. This makes VSU one of the highest-paying schools for police officers now, with the highest-paying position a lieutenant at $71,800. 

According to Dorsey, this pay increase was suggested in order to increase officer retention, as the police force on campus is considered “sparse.”  

“It’s hard to hire a police officer when they can drive five miles down the road and make a lot more money,” Dorsey said prior to his departure. “So, the college administration has addressed that, and now the college police department is very competitive with the city of Valdosta and the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office.” 

Since the pay raise went through, there has already been an increase in the number of officers who have signed up to work on campus, with more expected in the coming weeks. 

“I have personally been contacted by four to five post-certified officers asking if we had openings,” Leschber said. 

 In November, VSU formed a committee to conduct a national search for the next permanent Director of Public Safety/Police Chief. A campus-wide e-mail said at least three candidates would be brought to campus for interviews in “early Spring 2025.” In the meantime, the pay increase has created a promise of more officers around campus. 

Photo courtesy of VSU.