University of Pittsburgh Police Department Chief James Loftus retires

Whether walking on campus, collaborating with the Public Safety and Emergency Management team or participating in community outreach efforts, Chief James K. Loftus has made one thing clear throughout his career at Pitt — he cares about people. As Loftus looks ahead to retirement in January 2024, after 40 years of service in law enforcement, the University looks back to honor and recognize his significant contributions.

Loftus began his law enforcement career in the Miami-Dade, Florida, area, advancing through the ranks from patrol officer to director of one of the largest police departments in the nation. There, Loftus met his wife, Candy, who also served the community in law enforcement. After returning to his home city of Pittsburgh, he joined the University in 2013 as deputy chief, overseeing safety and security across UPMC facilities. Both of his children went on to graduate from Pitt. 

At Pitt, Chief Loftus’ approach to policing was focused on transparency. He identified opportunities for additional police force training, including cultural competency and racial profile avoidance. Additionally, he spearheaded the University’s participation in the esteemed ABLE Project, which trains officers in peer-enforced accountability. Through his leadership, Pitt was one of the first university campuses to partner with mental health professionals on community wellness checks through the groundbreaking HEART program. He also significantly expanded Pitt community member education opportunities, ranging from the University’s Citizens Police Academy to SAFE self-defense trainings.

Loftus also strengthened the diversity of Pitt’s police force, increasing the percentage of female and minority officers during his tenure. 

Under Loftus’ leadership, the Pittsburgh campus saw consistent year-over-year reductions in campus crime rates and improvements in support staff response times, contributing to campus safety. He understood that close collaboration is vital to each officer’s position and impact on safety, and that it fosters a culture of teamwork and respect.

“This was more than a job for Chief Loftus, as he demonstrated an unwavering dedication to safety and service at Pitt,” said Ted Fritz, vice chancellor for public safety and emergency management. “Whether working with the University’s Community Programs Unit or serving area organizations, Chief Loftus has always focused on helping others and giving back. Through his many contributions, he has established a legacy of service.”

Deputy Chief Lamb promoted to chief of police

The University has appointed Deputy Chief of Police Holly Lamb to the position of chief of police, effective Jan. 1.

Lamb, pictured at left, has served as the University’s deputy chief for the past nine years. She joined Pitt as a patrol officer in 1996 and was promoted multiple times based on her exceptional commitment to and performance in advancing campus safety: sergeant in 2000, lieutenant in 2006, administrative lieutenant in 2011 and deputy chief in 2014. Lamb holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Ohio Dominican University and earned her police officer certification from the Allegheny County Police Academy.

Additionally, she is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, American Society for Industrial Security, National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives and International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators.

Lamb’s promotion reflects Pitt’s commitment to a strong succession planning process, which reinforces employee value, retention and advancement within the University. This process allowed Lamb to gain valuable experience and prepare for leadership over a sustained period, ensuring a seamless transition and continuity for the police department. Her promotion also marks a rarity for the profession: According to the Police Executive Research Forum, just 3% of police chiefs are women.

“Deputy Chief Lamb is an exceptional, experienced leader,” said Fritz. “I am honored to recognize her outstanding performance with this promotion, and I look forward to watching her expand on her commitment to the safety of our communities in this role.”

To further strengthen the department’s leadership pipeline, Pitt will launch a nationwide search in early 2024 to attract a diverse and highly qualified pool of candidates for the deputy chief position.