Kathy Catron named UAF police chief

May 13, 2020

University Relations

Kathy Catron has been selected as the new university police chief after a competitive search.

Catron will lead the UAF Police Department after the retirement of Steve Goetz this spring. Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, Catron started her law enforcement career in 1997 after graduating from the Sitka Trooper Academy. After serving as an Alaska state trooper, she joined UAF Police Department in 2000.

Catron holds an advanced police certificate and is a field training officer. She has also taken advanced training in sex assault and similar investigations, interviewing techniques, and crisis intervention. She has years of experience in assisting people with drug and alcohol issues, as well as those affected by mental health and developmental challenges.

In her personal life, Catron and her wife, Karen, have been foster parents, and often care for young people with fetal alcohol syndrome and challenging behaviors.

This past year, Catron also became involved with other law enforcement agencies, nurses and advocates to address issues and services related to sexual assault, and will bring these connections to UAF to help continue to make the university a safe, diverse, inclusive and caring environment.

For more information, email the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services at UAF-VCAdminServices@alaska.edu.