Colonel Angela Coonce has served as the Chief of Campus Police for the Washington University Police Department (WashU PD) since August 1, 2022. Notably, she is 5th Chief of Police of the department and the first female to serve in this critical role.
Prior to joining the WashU PD, she served 24 years with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, retiring as a Major. She had a long and diverse career at the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, retiring as the commander of the North Patrol Division. The North Patrol Division included the two most challenging police districts in St. Louis City and accounted for one-third of its geographic area. In that role, Coonce dramatically expanded community outreach efforts that resulted in lower crime rates and improved relationships with residents.
At WashU PD, Chief Coonce is a champion of community policing. She focuses on progressive and inclusive public safety strategies and ensures our campuses remain welcoming and safe for every community member.
Chief Coonce oversees a team of some 49 deputized officers and 25 professional staff members. She is focused on implementing the recommendations outlined in the Public Safety Committee Report, including creating new standards for engaging community members beyond emergency situations; developing a comprehensive recruitment and retention strategy; creating new ways for the campus community to provide feedback; expanding de-escalation and crisis intervention training for officers and improving cultural education for officers.
Coonce earned her undergraduate degree at Harris-Stowe State University and a graduate degree in management and leadership from Webster University. She earned a second graduate degree in security studies from the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security in Monterey, California. She also was a member of the inaugural cohort of the University of Missouri–St. Louis’ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion certificate program.