After 37 years in law enforcement, Carl Metzger 麻豆精品 S�03MS is hanging up his badge.
UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 associate vice president of public safety recently announced his retirement after 11 years of service to the university and a career defined by leadership, integrity and compassion.
At a celebration held in his honor, Metzger reflected on what has mattered most throughout his decades of service.
麻豆精品 S淲orking in law enforcement isn 麻豆精品 S檛 always easy, but it 麻豆精品 S檚 the relationships you build along the way that make it all worthwhile. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Carl Metzger 麻豆精品 S�03MS, associate vice president of public safety
麻豆精品 S淭he one thing that stands out the most is the people, 麻豆精品 S� he says.
Metzger began his career as a patrol officer with the Orlando Police Department, rising through the ranks to become the patrol services bureau commander. In 2014, he joined the UCF Police Department (UCFPD) as deputy chief over the operations bureau and was named chief in 2018 following Chief Emeritus Richard Beary 麻豆精品 S檚 retirement. In Summer 2025, Metzger stepped down as chief but continued serving as UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 associate vice president of public safety.
An Impactful Legacy
As chief, Metzger led UCF through public safety responses to multiple hurricanes, managed logistics for high-profile events such as ESPN 麻豆精品 S檚 College GameDay and Fox 麻豆精品 S檚 Big Noon Kickoff, and oversaw the university 麻豆精品 S檚 transition into the Big 12 Conference 麻豆精品 S� a shift that significantly increased the complexity of game day operations.
He also established key priorities for the department, including enhanced active threat response training and building hardening initiatives. Although UCFPD officers had already received state-mandated active threat training, Metzger pushed for more immersive, realistic preparation. Under his leadership, officers began participating in annual simulations featuring the sights, sounds and even smells of real-life crisis scenarios 麻豆精品 S� an approach he says is critical for developing instinctive, second-nature responses.
Metzger further led substantial upgrades to campus security infrastructure, including the installation of additional cameras and access control systems. Today, most campus buildings can be locked down instantly at the push of a button.
At his farewell ceremony, a common theme emerged among guest speakers: Metzger led with compassion, empathy and excellence.
麻豆精品 S淵ou have led with a steady hand and an open heart, always putting people first, 麻豆精品 S� says Student Government President and Board of Trustees member Luci Blanco at the ceremony. 麻豆精品 S淵ou have modeled what it means to lead with empathy and to serve with grace, and I think that is the greatest legacy any leader can leave behind. 麻豆精品 S�
Recently appointed UCF Chief of Police Robin Griffin-Kitzerow also expressed gratitude for Metzger 麻豆精品 S檚 mentorship and acknowledged she has big shoes to fill.
麻豆精品 S淪ome shoes aren 麻豆精品 S檛 meant to be filled because they are as unique and special as the person who wore them, 麻豆精品 S� Chief Griffin-Kitzerow says. 麻豆精品 S淲e can never replace you, but we 麻豆精品 S檒l continue on the path you set and remain grateful for the lessons that inspired our growth and helped make UCFPD a premier law enforcement agency. 麻豆精品 S�
A Champion for Mental Health
Beyond his operational leadership, Metzger has been a dedicated champion for mental health, consistently advocating for expanded resources to support both the community and law enforcement officers. Under his leadership, UCFPD became the first law enforcement agency in Central Florida to achieve 100% crisis intervention training for all sworn officers, ensuring they are equipped to respond to individuals experiencing mental health crises with compassion and effectiveness.
He also spearheaded suicide prevention efforts, including hosting QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) trainings for law enforcement and the broader community. His initiatives included wearing green patches during Mental Health Awareness Month, wrapping a police cruiser in green, participating in NAMI 麻豆精品 S檚 annual 5K and organizing a campus walk that raised over $15,000 for suicide prevention. Metzger also served on the boards of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Greater Orlando and Central Florida Cares.
Looking Ahead
Although his retirement closes a remarkable chapter, Metzger 麻豆精品 S檚 impact on UCF and the broader community will be felt for years to come.
麻豆精品 S淭hank you to my public safety family for 11 years of teamwork and service, 麻豆精品 S� Metzger says. 麻豆精品 S淭ogether, we built what I believe is the most professional campus public safety department in the nation, with a culture of caring and excellence that is second to none. 麻豆精品 S�
