Brown University removes police chief after deadly campus shooting
*Rodney Chatman, chief of police and vice president for public safety at Brown University, was placed on administrative leave on Dec. 22 (2025). This decision followed a mass shooting that left two students dead and nine others injured at the Barus and Holley building.
The shooter, 48-year-old former student Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, fled the scene and later died by suicide. The attack took place on Dec. 13 inside one of Brown’s busiest engineering and physics halls, sparking national concern about university security standards.
Former Providence chief named interim campus safety leader
In Chatman’s absence, Brown University appointed Hugh T. Clements Jr. as interim police chief. Clements previously led the Providence Police Department and served as director of the U.S. Department of Justice’s community policing office.
President Christina H. Paxson announced in a university-wide message, emphasizing the need for experienced leadership during a period of intense scrutiny. Clements will oversee both campus patrols and emergency management in the wake of the tragedy.
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Campus to undergo full safety review after Barus shooting
Brown University has launched two independent investigations. One will focus on the emergency response to the December 13 attack. The other will assess long-term campus safety policies, infrastructure, and response protocols.
Among the top concerns are building access control, lack of usable video surveillance in key locations, and training gaps among security staff. These issues were widely criticized in the days following the shooting.
New security measures rolled out immediately on campus
In response, Brown has introduced a series of short-term fixes. These include increased police patrols, more surveillance cameras, and expanded panic alarm systems. Card-only access is also being implemented across academic buildings.
The university aims to make high-risk locations like Barus and Holley more secure. Officials are also working with local and federal law enforcement to ensure better response coordination in future emergencies.
Federal government investigating possible Clery Act violations
The U.S. Department of Education has opened an investigation into whether Brown violated the Jeanne Clery Act. This federal law requires colleges to report crimes, maintain safety systems, and provide timely warnings.
Officials cited concerns about delayed notifications, poor surveillance infrastructure, and inconsistent communication with police during and after the attack. This probe was announced the same day as Chatman’s removal.
Rodney Chatman already faced prior criticism before shooting
Chatman was the subject of a no-confidence vote by the university’s police union back in October 2025. Union members cited weak leadership, staffing issues, and unaddressed safety risks. These concerns resurfaced after the shooting.
Many students and faculty also questioned the university’s preparedness and ability to respond quickly. Public attention has focused heavily on how long it took to lock down the building and notify the campus community.
Why this matters: campus safety and leadership accountability
The decision to place Brown University’s police chief on leave signals a turning point in how schools respond to violence. It reflects growing demands for transparency and real change in campus safety planning.
With students, parents, and faculty demanding answers, university officials have pledged full cooperation with both internal and federal reviews. The outcomes of these investigations will likely shape safety standards across colleges nationwide.
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