Get to know the people behind the badge. In this member spotlight series, campus public safety professionals share their career journeys, personal perspectives, and professional insights. From training and development to ethics, philosophy, and reflections on the field, these profiles offer a candid look at the experiences that shape our community.
Chief Stephen K. Tavares – Campus Public Safety Leadership at Eastern Connecticut State University
Chief Stephen K. Tavares’s career in campus law enforcement and public safety reflects a lifelong commitment to service, relationship-building, and the belief that higher education must remain a safe and supportive environment for learning and growth. A graduate of Eastern Connecticut State University, Chief Tavares returned to lead the very campus community that helped shape his professional journey, bringing with him more than three decades of law enforcement experience, leadership, and a people-centered approach to public safety.
Chief Tavares began his career at the Bristol, Connecticut Police Department, where he advanced through progressively responsible roles—including detective, sergeant, lieutenant, and deputy chief—over a span of more than 30 years. Throughout his tenure, he sought out assignments that broadened his perspective and strengthened his leadership, including community policing, narcotics task force operations, K-9 handling, and crisis negotiation. These diverse experiences reinforced his belief that effective public safety requires a balance of operational excellence, proactive problem-solving, and compassion.
Returning to Eastern Connecticut State University as Chief of Police allowed Chief Tavares to apply his extensive operational and supervisory background to a campus environment where collaboration and trust are critical. He leads with a community-centric philosophy, prioritizing engagement with students, faculty, and staff through visibility and listening. He works closely with campus partners (Student Affairs, Counseling, and Residence Life) as well as municipal agencies and community organizations to ensure a holistic and coordinated approach to safety and well-being.
Chief Tavares’s leadership is guided by three core values: integrity, excellence, and compassion. He emphasizes transparency and accountability in all operations, holding himself and his team to high professional standards. He ensures continuous training, policy review, and mentorship to maintain best practices and adaptability in a changing safety landscape. A trauma-informed approach and focus on de-escalation underscore his belief that public safety must be principled, professional, and people-centered.
To support these goals, Chief Tavares has pursued advanced training in leadership, command operations, and emergency management. He is a graduate of the University of Louisville’s Southern Police Institute Command Officers Development Course and the FBI National Command Course. He has completed FEMA emergency management programs—including Multi-Hazard Emergency Management for Higher Education—and numerous IACLEA trainings, including the annual conference, where he engages with peers across the country to exchange best practices and innovative strategies.
Chief Tavares’s dedication to ethical leadership and community engagement has been recognized at both the state and local level. He was named to the NAACP’s list of 25 Most Influential African Americans in Bristol, Connecticut, honored among the 100 Men of Color in 2022, and received the Police Commissioners Association of Connecticut Distinguished Chief’s Award the same year. These honors reflect a career built on trust, mentorship, and partnerships that extend beyond traditional policing to include advocacy, inclusion, and service to others.
Outside of his professional responsibilities, Chief Tavares values time with family and friends and maintains routines that promote balance and well-being. He recognizes the importance of self-care in sustaining the energy and focus required to lead a public safety department that supports a vibrant campus community.
For Chief Tavares, serving at Eastern Connecticut State University represents the culmination of his career experience and personal dedication to making a difference. His leadership ensures that safety, equity, and opportunity are at the forefront of the university experience, empowering students, faculty, and staff to thrive in an environment built on trust, respect, and shared responsibility.