Texas Southern University (TSU), the only HBCU in the city of Houston, has announced that veteran Houston Police Department (HPD) senior officer Mary Young has been named the new acting chief of police for the Department of Public Safety at the University. 
“We are excited to have an officer of Ms. Young’s caliber join our University,” said TSU President Dr. Austin A. Lane. “Her experience in connecting and developing positive bonds with the communities that she serves will prove valuable as we continue in our efforts to make Texas Southern University one of the safest campuses in Texas.”
Young, a veteran officer of Houston Police Department (HPD), most recently served as the community service specialist for the Southwest Patrol Division. She designed and implemented grassroots programs for youth and seniors. She established partnerships with non-profit organizations, community leaders and local business stakeholders to bridge the gap between HPD and the community. She has trained officers and college interns in community engagement, networking and career preparedness.
“I’m honored and humbled to take on this new role because my purpose is to help people, and I have fun in doing that,” said Young. “I am ready to get started and focus on instilling Pride, Integrity and Excellence into the department to ensure TSU is the safest campus, and to also make sure TSU has the most effective community-focused and progressive police agency in the Houston Metropolitan area.”
Young is a graduate of James Madison Senior High School where she excelled in sports and academics, earning her diploma at 16. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications/Law Enforcement and a Master of Arts degree in Criminology/Sociology from Prairie View A&M University. Young is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Young received a Master Peace Officer’s certificate from the state of Texas, a teacher’s certificate in Secondary Education, and a certificate of completion in Homeland Security from Louisiana State University. She is a member on several boards and associations, including the Institute of Social Justice, National Black Police Association, Houston Police Officer’s Union, African American Police Officer’s League, Houston Police Burial Fund Association, and Teach for America.
The TSU Police Department has been proudly serving and protecting the TSU community since 1947. Since its inception, the Department has grown exponentially and now functions and operates as a professional and modernized agency. TSU Police Department is a progressive and professional law enforcement agency that is gaining recognition for the enhancements that have been made in keeping the campus community safe. The Department continually strives for excellence and plans to achieve accreditation through the Texas Police Chief Association (TPCA) this fiscal cycle to further legitimize the Department’s overall operations.
The TSU Police Department has adopted a strong set of core values that direct how work is accomplished and all members strive to conduct all official business in a manner consistent with them. The Department’s foundation is built on a community policing philosophy and a strong emphasis is placed on building partnerships within the campus community to improve the quality of life on and around our campus community by working in concert with our community to prevent crime, disorder, and fear. While the Department’s enforcement actions are guided by the intelligence-led policing theory, it incorporates multiple policing strategies in its crime suppression and prevention efforts. The TSU Police Department truly embraces its responsibility to keep TSU safe for our community members to live, learn, work and play.
The Forward Times congratulates Mary Young on her new role as TSU’s Acting Police Chief and acknowledges her many years of dedication and service to the Greater Houston area.