UWF names new police chief

The University of West Florida has announced the Marc L. Cossich as the University’s new chief of police. He joins UWF with nearly 35 years of experience overseeing police administration in higher education and began serving in this role yesterday, July 23.

Cossich was selected after a national search that yielded more than 120 candidates.

“We are thrilled for Marc to join our team,” said Betsy Bowers, interim vice president of finance and administration. “His breadth of knowledge in implementing in-service training programs and field training officer programs will take our campus safety to a new level.”

Cossich served for 17 years in his most recent role as police chief and executive director of public safety at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas. In this position, he developed community-based policing programs, improved officer training, incorporated technology into campus safety and developed emergency management processes for the campus community. Prior to this role, Cossich served as police chief at Angelo State University and director and police chief at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette.

“I am very excited to join the UWF family,” said Cossich. “During the interview process, I was impressed with the people I met, especially members of the University Police Department. I look forward to working with the current officers, students, faculty, staff and the city of Pensacola to develop new programs focused on community policing.”

Cossich earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, a graduate certificate in criminal justice education from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville and a master’s degree in criminal justice administration at the University of Texas – Permian Basin in Odessa. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

Cossich has completed extensive law enforcement training and holds various professional affiliations. In the community, he has coached multiple sports and serves as a member of Rotary International.