Eric Stickel sworn in as Cornell police chief

More than 17 years after joining the Cornell University Police Department (CUPD)as a patrol officer, Eric Stickel was formally sworn in as its chief at a Jan. 21 commissioning ceremony.

In Friends Hall overlooking Schoellkopf Field, Stickel's daughter and son, ages 14 and 11, pinned a golden chief's badge on their father's uniform before he took an oath of office, swearing to lead with integrity, to be ready to confront danger, and to protect rights, lives and property.

"Today marks a moment of responsibility, service and partnership," Stickel told an audience including his family, some of CUPD's more than 50 officers and staff, and representatives from partner agencies and university leadership. "My commitment is simple: We will serve with integrity and professionalism, and treat every person with dignity and respect, while holding ourselves accountable to each other and to those we serve … When we build trust, listen and engage with the people we serve, our community is safer, stronger and more unified."

A native and current resident of Lansing, Stickel had been serving as CUPD's interim chief since Sept. 20, 2025, when Anthony Bellamy departed to become deputy chief of the Ithaca Police Department.

David Honan, associate vice president for public safety, a former CUPD chief who administered the oath of office, said Stickel embodied a community-focused team dedicated to supporting students in their moments of greatest need.

"Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a commitment to accountability, transparency, inclusivity and community-based policing," Honan said. "He leads with integrity and a deep understanding of what it means to serve a diverse academic community."

Honan also shared congratulations from Christopher Cowen, executive vice president and chief financial officer, who oversees the Division of Public Safety.

"Eric has demonstrated a commitment to the community, which has contributed to the safety and partnership and trust built with various members and organizations at the university," Cowen said, in written remarks read by Honan. "We look forward to this experience contributing to the next phase of his participation as chief, ensuring the safety and support of Cornell."

Stickel said campus policing is a unique responsibility, one that requires compassion and an understanding that safety and education go hand in hand. At Cornell, he said, that involves a delicate balance between safety, accessibility and trust while responding to emergencies or mental health crises, managing large-scale events and monitoring broader security threats. The department has evolved and been enhanced, he said, through the addition of public safety ambassadorsand the Community Response Team.

"Our role … is to protect Cornell's founding principle by fostering a safe, respectful and welcoming environment where learning and work can thrive," Stickel said. "Student success and institutional excellence depend on the well-trained and professional police department which we have here today."

Between his start as a patrol officer and appointment as interim chief, Stickel served CUPD as operations sergeant, training sergeant, operations lieutenant and deputy chief, earning honors including the Frank G. Hammer Officer of the Month, Tompkins County's STOP-DWI Award of Excellence, and a citation for assisting a fellow officer during a life-threatening emergency. He earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, with minors in political science legal studies and sociology, from Lycoming College, and is currently enrolled in the University of Virginia's Master of Public Safety Program. He has completed the FBI National Academy and FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Series.

Outside work, Stickel coaches youth soccer and wrestling in Lansing, including serving as the girls' soccer coach at Lansing High School and running the Adam Heck Annual Soccer Camp.

After the ceremony, Stickel's mother, Susan Stickel, expressed her pride, describing her son as a people-person who would lead with honesty, loyalty and commitment. His wife, Jenna, who has known Stickel since they were in middle and high school together in Lansing, echoed those sentiments.

"He's a hard worker, he loves his job, he loves his people," she said. "He's going to do wonderful things."

Stickel thanked his team for their hard work and sacrifice, saying he understood that leadership is about service, not a title - about listening, mentoring and inspiring, and being present, decisive and accountable.

"Let us move forward together with renewed purpose and confidence, and reaffirm our actions towards service, safety and each other," he said. "Thank you for your trust and support. I'm honored to serve as your chief of police."