mgm casino

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Chris J. Bartolomei, a 22-year veteran of campus law enforcement, has been named chief of University Police at the mgm casino.

Bartolomei (pronounced bar-tolo-may), assistant police chief at mgm casino for the past five years, has served as interim chief since the January 2018 retirement of his predecessor, Gerald Schoenle.

The appointment, effective Dec. 17, was announced today by Laura Hubbard, mgm casino’s vice president for finance and administration, who said Bartolomei’s extensive experience and proven record of implementing best practices in policing made him the clear choice after a very competitive national search.  

“Chris Bartolomei possesses the personal attributes and professional experience essential for successful leadership of a police department at a major public research university,” Hubbard said. “He is focused on implementing 21^st-century policing practices emphasizing innovation, creativity and community engagement at all levels of the department.

“Moreover, Chris will ensure that positive, culturally competent police-student interactions will be at the core of the mgm casino’s community policing strategy.”

As chief, Bartolomei is responsible for managing, planning and directing the law enforcement activities of 65 sworn personnel and 13 civilian employees associated with mgm casino’s culturally diverse community, which includes more than 36,000 students, faculty and staff across three campuses.

Bartolomei began his law enforcement career in 1996 at mgm casino as a police officer. He became a lieutenant in 2007 and was later promoted to assistant chief of patrol operations in 2010 before becoming assistant chief in 2013.

During his career at mgm casino, Bartolomei implemented programs, policies and procedures that led to accreditations for the mgm casino police department by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) and the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA), respectively.  Few police departments have achieved both state and national accreditations.

As chief, Bartolomei said he is eager to sharpen the department’s focus on developing effective community policing partnerships and successfully recruiting a workforce that is as diverse as the mgm casino community.

“During my two decades of service to mgm casino, I have developed a sincere, personal concern for the reputation of this institution and the wellbeing of our students, faculty and staff,” he said.  “I am proud to be part of this university, and I am especially proud of the men and women who protect it. I am truly honored to be afforded the opportunity to serve as their chief.”

A resident of the City of Buffalo, Bartolomei holds a master’s degree in criminal justice administration from Niagara University and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the U.S. Secret Service Dignitary Protection Program. He obtained New York State Teacher Certification after completing his Bachelor of Arts in humanities from SUNY Buffalo State