I am pleased to share with the entire university community that, effective Aug. 13, Kenith Adcox will join UTMB as our Chief of Police. He currently heads the La Porte Police Department and brings more than 30 years of law enforcement experience to UTMB.
I spoke with our police department this morning to announce the appointment. I look forward to working with Chief Adcox and our entire department to ensure the safety and security of everyone at our campuses and clinics.
Chief Adcox joined the La Porte Police Department in 2008, after retiring from a 21-year career with the El Paso Police Department. He has a wide range of experience at all levels of policing, from front-line to leadership positions. During his tenure in La Porte, the city has experienced a significant reduction in crime rates and was recognized as one of the safest cities in Texas.
He received his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration from Park University in Missouri. He has earned two master’s degrees: in public administration from the University of Texas at El Paso and in security studies from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. He is pursuing a graduate certificate in organizational behavior from Harvard University.
In addition, Chief Adcox is a graduate of the University of Houston Certified Public Managers Program, the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Institute’s Command Leadership College at Sam Houston State University, the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Program and the Penn State Police Executive Development Program, among other specialized training programs.
He has extensive knowledge in homeland security and critical incident management, and currently serves on the executive board of the FBI’s Houston Area Joint Terrorism Task Force.
Chief Adcox will succeed University of Texas System Assistant Director of Police Ruben Puente, who has served us in an interim capacity since Chief Tom Engells’ passing in January. I am most grateful to Interim Chief Puente for his leadership over the past few months.
Please join me in thanking Interim Chief Puente for his service and in welcoming Chief Adcox to UTMB.
Thank you!