‘I believe I have more to give’: Former chief of Quincy Police Department named director of safety and security at QU

QUINCY — Quincy University recently named Robert Copley as its director of safety and security. Copley is working with the current director, Sam Lathrop, who is retiring on May 31.

Copley has more than 40 years of experience in law enforcement. He worked with the Quincy Police Department as a patrol officer, detective-youth specialist, detective sergeant, patrol lieutenant and chief of police from 1980 to 2022. He spent 24 years with the command staff and 18 as chief.

“I am excited to be part of the Quincy University community,” Copley said in a press release. “While I enjoyed being retired, I missed interacting with the public. I believe I have more to give. This position gives me that opportunity.”

As chief of police, Copley served on the executive board of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, as president and a member of the executive board of the Central Illinois Association of Law Enforcement Executives, as chairman and member of the West Central Illinois (Drug) Task Force Board and as member of both the West Central Illinois Justice Council Mobile Training Unit Board and the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. He is a life member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

“With over 40 years in law enforcement, he brings valuable experience to our team,” said Christine Tracy, vice president for student development. “His leadership will be crucial in maintaining the safety of our campus community. I’m looking forward to working with him closely to ensure the well-being of our students, faculty, and staff.”

Copley is a graduate of the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety School of Police Staff and Command. He earned an associate’s degree in applied science in law enforcement administration from Lincoln Land Community College.