VCU news

By Carolyn Conlon
VCU Administration

Virginia Commonwealth University today appointed Assistant Chief of Police Howard “Mike” O’Berry to serve as interim chief of police starting Aug. 1. VCU Police Lt. Nicole Dailey will fill O’Berry’s role on an interim basis as the department’s interim assistant chief. As interim chiefs, O’Berry and Dailey will assume the day-to-day leadership and management of VCU Police operations. 

O’Berry has a 25-year career with VCU Police and previous service in the U.S. Marine Corps. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and VCU’s Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, and serves as a board member for the Virginia Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators. Over the course of his career, he has received more than 20 military and police awards in recognition of his service. 

Dailey has a 21-year career at VCU Police with management roles in patrol, support services, security services, crime prevention and special projects. She is attending the FBI National Academy in Quantico and is a graduate of VCU’s Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute. 

“VCU is fortunate to have the talent and experience internally to fill these critical roles on an interim basis as we evaluate our next steps to fill these positions permanently,” said Meredith Weiss, VCU vice president for administration. “As long-time, dedicated leaders in the department, they understand the policing needs for an urban university and 21st-century academic health system.”

John Venuti, the current VCU Police chief, was promoted last fall to associate vice president of public safety for VCU and VCU Health, and has progressively taken on new responsibilities. Venuti will continue to serve as chief until Aug. 1.