Kimberly Beaty has been selected as the next chief of University Police, UB officials announced last week.
Beaty will assume her new position on Nov. 16. She will succeed Chris Bartolomei, who retired in August following a 27-year career with UPD and six years as chief.
Beaty comes to the department’s top job following a decades-long career in law enforcement. She worked in the Buffalo Police Department for more than 30 years. While at BPD, Beaty served as chief of the department’s E District, which encompasses UB’s South Campus, and spent four years as deputy police commissioner, according to a statement from Canisius University. She has been the director of public safety at Canisius University since 2018.
“While serving a diverse community in leadership roles, I have found it most rewarding to do my life’s work in higher education,” Beaty said in a statement. “I look forward to joining the UB community and for the opportunity to work in an environment with people committed to advancing themselves educationally to go out and be good citizens.”
Beaty made headlines in 2021 when she ran as a Democrat for Erie County Sheriff and ultimately lost to the Republican candidate and current sheriff, John Garcia. Beaty ran on a platform of “advancing community policing,” using the sheriff’s office budget more effectively and providing better healthcare to those in custody.
A WKBW investigative report released during that election cycle found that Beaty had been the subject of a harassment complaint in 2018. According to the complaint, Beaty called Captain Patrick Mann into her office, “berated” him “regarding training,” directed him “to produce a detailed hourly report daily” and told him that he was no longer allowed to work overtime.
An arbitrator found that Beaty violated three provisions of the police union’s contract with the city. The incident cost taxpayers $10,000, according to documents obtained by WKBW.
In a written statement to WKBW, Beaty’s then-campaign manager wrote that “Beaty implemented numerous measures to promote accountability and transparency within the Buffalo Police Department during her 31 years of service,” adding that “no one is above providing an accurate report of how they earn their government salary, and that overtime is not an entitlement program.”
As UPD chief, Beaty will lead the department, make overarching strategic decisions and connect the department to the UB community.
Grant Ashley is the editor in chief and can be reached at grant.ashley@ubspectrum.com
Grant Ashley is the editor in chief of The Spectrum. He's also reported for NPR, WBFO, WIVB and The Buffalo News. He enjoys taking long bike rides, baking with his parents’ ingredients and recreating Bob Ross paintings in crayon. He can be found on the platform formerly known as Twitter at @Grantrashley.
