Francis Marion University’s Chief of Police Richard J. Austin will retire at the end of the month after nearly 22 years of service.
The Lowell, Mass. native began his career as chief two years after being hired as a public safety officer for the FMU Campus Police.
Prior to that, Austin served in the U.S. Air Force as a security police/law enforcement officer for 21 years. He was stationed in Alabama, Georgia, New York, England and Turkey before placement at his final duty station at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter.
His legacy includes enhanced evening shift supervision and his service as “chief” meteorologist for the campus. Austin says retiring is bitter sweet but since he lives only a few minutes away, he’ll still have his finger on the pulse of the university.
“It’s a great place to work, and I’ve enjoyed my 20 plus years here,” says Austin. “I look forward to the university expanding and getting better in the years to come.”
Austin earned the B.A. in human resources and criminal justice from St. Leo College in Florida.
