Pictured is Chief Brenda Mitchell, the chief of police at Auburn University at Montgomery.
By: Kniya Potts
MONTGOMERY, Ala.—Auburn University at Montgomery’s very own Chief Brenda
Mitchell is absolutely the heart of the university. Mitchell is distinguished by her position and
steadfast commitment and vision. I had the honor of speaking with Chief Mitchell about her
incredible career, her crucial role, and her motivating outlook for the university’s future.
AL.com reported some interesting facts about Michell’s remarkable career and achievements. Chief Mitchell is a career law enforcement officer who obtained her criminal law degree in criminal justice, in 1985. From
there, Mitchell later joined the Montgomery Police Department in 1988. She has served in
multiple positions and various departments. Mitchell started in the patrol division and later
entered the juvenile division where she investigated crimes committed by or against juveniles.
Mitchell has been in law enforcement for 36 years and still serves and protects.
Mitchell also discussed how she’d have to test every two years for positions. “I started
climbing the rank structure where every two years, you tested for positions and were in the right
band to get promoted to the different levels,” said Mitchell. “Within the police department, I’ve
served in different capacities, of course. I’ve worked in the patrol division as an officer,
investigative division as an investigator, then from there, I’ve served as a sergeant, lieutenant and
as a captain,” added Mitchell, who was later promoted to major, the commander of the juvenile
division at the Montgomery Police Department.
Subsequently, Mitchell was appointed over training and recruiting for the Montgomery
Police Department as the major for two years. Thereafter, Chief Mitchell had a different
assignment where she was the commander of the investigative division for the Montgomery
Police Department and later the commander of the patrol division. “You have three different
shifts, working around the clock throughout Montgomery, Alabama,” Mitchell said. She was
then promoted to assistant chief and served for one year, preceding diverse duties as the
director of the Emergency Management Agency (EMA) for the city and the county. “I’ve had a
long career and not been in the same place. My mom always told me when you’re in a position,
always try to do better, always support people, and try to help on any level that you can,”
expressed Mitchell.
Chief Mitchell obtained her master’s degree here at AUM in 2008. “Not only do I know
this a great place to work, it’s also a great place to be educated,” Mitchell said. “I said one year,
I’m going to work at AUM. This is my Alma Matar so, I knew that there was something else that
I had to give, and why not give it at my Alma Matar,” added Mitchell.
Mitchell eventually applied for AUM in 2013 and has been here ever since. “I retired
from the Montgomery Police Department on July 31, 2013, and the very next day, August 1, I
was right here,” said Mitchell. “My husband says who does that? Who goes from one job to
another without taking downtime? But that’s just how I operate. I like constantly going, doing,
and just doing the things that’s needed to be done, and so I chose to come here and I’m going to
do the best that I can to make sure that my role is thoroughly fulfilled,” Mitchell added.
As chief, there are many responsibilities and challenges. Chief Mitchell is well-invested
in prioritizing everyone’s safety and well-being. “My number one goal is to make sure that
everybody that comes on these grounds is safe,” said Michell. Mitchell makes it her duty to make
sure she has the right staff to aid in ensuring that everyone is safe and making sure that no
unauthorized individuals are on campus. “I can’t work 24 hours a day, but if I could, you best
believe I’d be riding around all night,” Mitchell said. All police are trained and must be certified
annually. “Every year, my officers, including myself, there is a certain number of hours that we
have to in-service training to make sure that we continue to keep our certification,” Mitchell
noted. The official AUM Police Department website shares the services provided to students on
campus, as well as their contact information and campus safety resources.
Mitchell deeply cares and values every single student, faculty, and staff at this university.
“They know that we are here for them, and we’re going to go before them, and they can call us
and expect whatever their needs are to be met,” expressed Mitchell. Mitchell makes it known
that she and her officers are not just there for police response, they are also there to be mentors
and to provide whatever it is that the students, faculty, and staff need.
When it comes to initiatives or programs, Chief Mitchell is most passionate about the
active shooter training offered for students. “The training that we provide is not just for people to
just use on campus, but it is information that you can use anytime, and anywhere you go,”
Mitchell stated. Mitchell strongly feels that this program is beneficial and will stick with you for
the long run. Another program offered that Chief Mitchell loves is the self-defense classes for
female students, staff, and faculty members. You can check out the website if you are interested.
The Safety and Emergency Preparedness website has many public safety seminar topics that can
help protect you in any situation you need. They also discuss topics such as sexual assault, and other
different protocols and safety measures. Mitchell also mentioned the Alabama Crime Prevention
Clearinghouse. This is a law enforcement training program that gives insights that assist state
agencies, law enforcement, groups in the community, and schools that are trying to reduce crime
rates in their communities.
Mitchell helps foster a positive and inclusive campus culture by simply letting people
know she is available. She immensely takes value in making sure that everyone feels included
and heard. “It doesn’t matter who you are, where you’re from, what your socioeconomic
background is, what the color of your skin is, I am always available to any and everyone,” she
said. Mitchell emphasizes acknowledging everyone and being inclusive. “I was raised that way. I
have 11 siblings, and my parents raised us to respect others regardless of what they have,”
Mitchell explained.
As Chief, Mitchell’s goals and visions for the future of Auburn University at
Montgomery is to maintain the level of safety that we have. Mitchell expresses that she would
love for us to expand in such. “I want the community of Auburn University at Montgomery and
officers to continue to engage, and for our students, citizens, staff and faculty to feel more
comfortable, and to let us know what they need from us,” stated Mitchell. “We are here to
provide what they need around the clock.” The chief also hopes to continue training, to provide
safety, security, and the needs, and to ensure that everyone on campus is safe 24 hours a day.
“None of those things will fail, not under my leadership,” expressed Mitchell.
Chief Mitchell offered sound advice for students aspiring to take on leadership roles in
their careers. “Take baby steps. You can’t expect yourself to get from point A to point Z
overnight,” Mitchell expressed. “A lot of the time, we are thinking of what we want others to do
when we can do those things. It just goes back to having that confidence and that support to
move forward,” she added Chief Mitchell believes we all can be leaders. “Here on campus, I
always say if you see something, say something, so you can be a leader in that fashion as well,”
stated Mitchell. “If you want to be a leader, you can be a leader. Be faithful, be true, be a person
that everyone can respect, and have dignity about yourself.”
