Office of Law Enforcement & Security

Dr. Keith Jemison

Dr. Keith Jemison
Associate Vice Chancellor of Law Enforcement & Security

Dr. Keith Jemison was named as the first-ever Associate Vice Chancellor of Law Enforcement & Security at The Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) in September of 2023.  As the Chief Law Enforcement Officer, Dr. Jemison serves as the principal advisor to the Chancellor’s office on law enforcement and security matters throughout TAMUS, as well as the liaison between the A&M System member universities Police Chief’s Council and the Chancellor’s Office.  His office is tasked with coordination of preparedness and oversight of law enforcement and security programs.  Additionally, Dr. Jemison has been designated with the responsibility of system-wide CLERY oversight.

Biography

Previously, Dr. Jemison served as the Associate Vice President and Chief of Police at the Prairie View A & M University’s (PVAMU) University Police Department (UPD). Before that, he served as Senior Assistant Police Chief with the Missouri City Police Department (MCPD) and as Chief of Police of another Texas law enforcement agency. His command experience has included Operations, Administration, and Support Services Divisions.  Those areas have consisted of Police Records, Criminal Investigations & Crime Analysis, Dispatch, Facilities, Technology, a Multi-City Public Safety Radio System, law enforcement budgets, Professional Standards & Internal Affairs, Training & Professional Development, Grant Management, Accreditation, Crime Prevention & Community Outreach Programs, Recruiting, Hiring and Background Investigations, and City Code Enforcement.  During his time at PVAMU, he was responsible for the UPD, Campus EMS, Physical Security, the University Lock and Key Shop, Parking and Parking Management, as well as the University Fire Marshal’s Office.

Chief Jemison’s educational accomplishments include the following:

  • Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Interdisciplinary Leadership with a concentration in Public Safety Management (2016).
  • Master of Arts (MA) in Political and Justice Studies (2003).
  • Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Criminal Justice Administration with Cum Laude honors (2001).

Chief Jemison’s executive level trainings have included:

  • National Command Course (Session #5) at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia (2023).
  • United States Department of Homeland Security Executive Leadership Academy at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) in Brunswick, Georgia (2022).
  • Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at Harvard University (2015).
  • Police Executive Development (POLEX) program at Penn State University (2014).
  • Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP) at the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) Session #50 in Washington, DC (2012).
  • School of Police Staff and Command (SPSC) Session #329 at Northwestern University Center for Public Safety (2012).
  • FBI Regional Command College (2010).
  • FBI LEEDA Executive Management Trilogy.

Chief Jemison’s specialized licenses and certifications include the following:

  • Master Peace Officer, Texas Commission On Law Enforcement (TCOLE)
  • FBI Instructor
  • Crisis Intervention Instructor
  • Firearms Instructor
  • Investigative Hypnotist
  • Mental Health Peace Officer
  • Simunition Scenario Instructor
  • Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) Instructor
  • Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT)
  • Police Precision Marksman (Sniper)
  • Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CEPTED) Practitioner
  • Advanced Interview & Interrogation
  • Crisis Negotiator

In addition to the twenty plus years of law enforcement experience, Dr. Jemison brings additional academic expertise, having been an Adjunct Professor for several local colleges and universities as well as teaching at police academies.  He has served on multiple university-level committees including academic appeals and admissions, continuity of operations, student safety, compliance, emergency planning and risk management, misconduct admissions review team, LGBTQ Advisory, and the Covid Taskforce.  He currently sits on the advisory board of the Competency-Based Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science (BS) program at Texas A & M University-Commerce and the executive board of the Texas Police Chief’s Association (TPCA).

Chief Jemison is a proud veteran of the United States Army and has been a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the Houston Area Police Chief’s Association (HAPCA), the Texas ISD Police Chiefs Association, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (FBI-LEEDA), the Texas Police Chief’s Association (TPCA), the National Criminal Justice Honor Society, the SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society, and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).