Dear Campus Community,

As you may be aware, today is Chief Anthony Morgan’s last day at Cal Poly Humboldt. We are initiating the search process for a replacement Chief of Police. Peter Cress has been appointed interim Chief of Police for the University Police Department. This appointment shall continue until a permanent replacement is selected.

In this capacity, interim Chief Cress shall be responsible for University Police, Security, and Parking.

Peter has 24 years of experience in law enforcement and public safety. After beginning his career locally, including two years as an officer at Cal Poly Humboldt Police Department, his interests took him to law school and then service at the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department as their in-house counsel. Upon return to Humboldt County, he served as a lieutenant for the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office before coming to UPD. 

Peter was born and raised on the North Coast. He earned his undergraduate degree from Cal Poly Humboldt in 2003 and his law degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, in 2006. He is set to begin the dissertation phase of a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice this fall. He has taught courses at Sacramento State University, Humboldt State, and College of the Redwoods.

Cress has shown he is a creative and thoughtful leader on campus and in UPD. He has shown commitment to the continuation of UPD’s cultural growth and I am excited to see the positive changes that he will enact.

Please join me in welcoming former Lieutenant Cress to the new role of interim Chief of Police.

Sincerely,

Shahrooz Roohparvar

Vice President for Administration & Finance