Meet Bruce Perry Jr. ’97, psychology. Bruce has spent 33 years at UMBC as both a student and staff member. He first joined the police department in 1994 as a student aide. After graduation, Bruce rejoined the police department in 1998 as an officer and has served in many roles over the years, including Operations Commander and Deputy Chief. In 2022, Bruce was named Chief of Police. Take it away, Bruce!
Q: What is your WHY? What brought you to UMBC?
A: In high school, I was in a club that had a field trip to UMBC. My guidance counselor highly recommended that I apply to three colleges. UMBC was one of those three and quickly became my top choice. I have been at UMBC ever since, practically my entire adult life, moving from a graduate to a staff member in a year.
Q: Where have you found support in the UMBC community?
A: Once I moved into Chesapeake Hall as a freshman and participated in Playfair, I met several other students that I connected with and became friends with. As a staff member, I was able to connect with other staff, faculty, and students through committees, programs and meetings.
Q: What’s the one thing you’d want someone who hasn’t joined the UMBC community to know about the support you find here?
A: I love how collaborative the people on campus are. It is easy to just call or email someone and get a quick response. There are lots of activities that take place, there are many food options, and they get to use the RAC facilities for free. I would especially mention two big events that we have every year, Homecoming and Quadmania.
Q: Tell us about your current job. What do you like most about it?
A: I first joined the UMBC Police Department in 1994 as a student aide. After graduation, I rejoined the department in 1998 as an officer and has served in many roles over the years, including Operations Commander and Deputy Chief. In 2022, I was named Chief of Police. I love the opportunity to collaborate with others across campus. I have been involved with numerous campus groups, including the Alcohol and Other Drug Committee, the Hazing Awareness Work Group, the Employee of the Quarter Committee, Mental Health First Aid Instructors, and the Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA) to name a few. I like that I am able to interact with other colleagues around campus.
Q: Tell us what you love most about working in the UMBC Police Department.
A: Working in the police department, every day is a different day. The members of my department feel more like family members than co-workers, which is good since we have to rely on each other. I enjoy interacting with others on campus, volunteering, and being involved in different groups and committees.
Pictured right: The Retriever Weekly (Volume 33, Number 16) announcing the hiring of three new UMBC Police officers, including Bruce.
Q: Tell us about someone in the community who has inspired you or supported you, and how they did it.
A: I have been fortunate enough to have each supervisor that I have had since becoming an employee be a valuable mentor. They offered a lot of guidance and advice.
Q: What would you tell someone who is considering a career at UMBC?
A: UMBC continues to be named as a top workplace by ModernThink’s Great Colleges to Work For program. UMBC ranks as a top institution nationwide in every category, from well-being and shared governance to mission and pride.
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UMBC’s greatest strength is its people. When people meet Retrievers and hear about the passion they bring, the relationships they create, the ways they support each other, and the commitment they have to inclusive excellence, they truly get a sense of our community. That’s what “Meet a Retriever” is all about.
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Tags: Meet a Retriever, UMBC Police
