Captain Penny Fischer from the Michigan State University Department of Police and Public Safety spoke at Oakland University’s second open forum discussion on Friday, March 7. Fischer is one of three candidates vying for the position of OU’s next Chief of Police.

Fischer has spent a great deal of her life both studying and teaching criminal justice and law. She holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Grand Valley State University, a master’s in criminal justice from MSU, a juris doctor from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and a doctorate of philosophy in criminal justice from MSU.

Currently, Fischer works as an adjunct professor at the MSU College of Law and also as a part-time instructor at the MSU School of Criminal Justice.

At the MSU Department of Police and Public Safety, Fischer serves as the special events division commander, working with campus facilities such as the athletic department and residential and educational housing services.

Fischer said she believes in an open, collective form of leadership, saying that one “can’t lead in isolation.”

“My job is to know each and every one of you,” Fischer said.

She said wants to create a safe community at Oakland University through “collaborative and consensus building.”

Fischer said achieving community policing is like baking a cake. As Chief of Police, Fischer said she will give officers the skills to perform community policing and “build a cake we all want to eat.”

Part of Fischer’s philosophy is also giving community members the tools to be safe.

“What can you do to be safe, what can you do to be more secure,” Fischer said.

Fischer said that she is aware that Oakland University is going through changes, but she is not afraid of change and welcomes it.

“Change is constant in my world,” Fischer said. “I’m excited to be coming in at a time of change.”

This change is something that can bring her closer to community members and reinforce community policing, according to Fischer.

“We are going through the change together,” Fischer said.

Recognizing the changes going on at the university is something the next Chief of Police has to understand, according to Karen Lloyd, assistant dean of students.

“A police chief that understands the growth and potential for change,” Lloyd said.

Lloyd said she would like to see a chief who really puts things into action.

“Someone who can be effective,” Lloyd said.

The final forum discussion, with candidate Senior Lieutenant Paul Mascari, will be held Tuesday, March 11 at 1:45 p.m. in room 1031 in the Human Health Building.