Command Staff

August Washington

Associate Vice Chancellor & Chief of Police

University of Louisiana, Lafayette, Bachelors in Behavioral Science Grambling State University, Masters Degree in Criminal Justice Chief Washington is a member of the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives and the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police.

Rick Burr

Assistant Chief of Police

Austin Peay State University, Bachelors in History Assistant Chief Rick Burr is a graduate of the Southeastern Command Leadership Academy. He has served in law enforcement for 15 years, 9 of which has been at Vanderbilt. asst. Chief Burr is currently a member of the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police. During his time at VUPD, Asst. Chief Burr has served in patrol, criminal investigations, emergency preparedness, special operations and background investigations.

Mike Bannon

Director, Finance and Administration Bureau

Mike has 15 years of higher education finance and accounting experience. He has been with Vanderbilt University for 6 years and has filled a variety of roles within the Division of Administration’s finance team.

Belmont University, Bachelors in Music Business Administration, 2000

Belmont University, Masters in Business Administration, 2008

Charles DeFrance

Director, Safety and Security for Vanderbilt Medical Center

Vanderbilt University, Bachelor of Science Degree. Major DeFrance is a member of International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety, State Board Member of the Southeastern Safety and Security Healthcare Council.

Davis Strange

Director, Operations

Major Strange has a 21 year law enforcement career with a degree in Business Administration/Management from Florida Tech University. Major Strange is also a graduate of the 2008 University of Tennessee Southeastern Command and Leadership Academy. A member of the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA), Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police (TACP) and has served Vanderbilt University the Vanderbilt University Police Department since 2003.

Tracy Owens

Director, Parking Services

Tracy Owens is a retired Army Officer who served from 1981 until his retirement from the service in 2003.

He holds a Bachelor’s in Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. A member of the Mid-South Transportation and Parking Association (MSTPA), National Parking Association, International Parking Institute (IPI) and Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police (TACP) and has served Vanderbilt University Traffic and Parking since 2003.

Johnny Vanderpool

Director, Emergency Preparedness

Johnny Vanderpool is the Director of the Office of Emergency Preparedness, Fire and Workplace Safety. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry and Environmental Science from Middle Tennessee State University, is recognized as a Certified Emergency Manager by the International Association of Emergency Managers, a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager from the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management, and is a Certified Fire Inspector in the State of Tennessee. Johnny has served in Environmental Health and Safety and Emergency Preparedness during his 17 years at Vanderbilt University and responded to incidents both on campus and around the United States.

Vivienne Irizarry

Major, Medical Center & One Hundred Oaks Precinct

Major Irizarry has served over 29 years with the Vanderbilt University Police Department. She has worked in various assignments at each of the three police precincts.

Corwin Thomas

Major, University Campus Precinct

Major Thomas is a retired Marine Corps Officer who served from 1979 until his retirement from the service in 2003.

Major Thomas began his career as a police officer with the Vanderbilt University Police Department in 2003. During his time at VUPD, Major Thomas has served in or supervised various section of the department from patrol, special events, training, accreditation, records and communications and background investigations. Major Thomas has a bachelor’s degree from Western Kentucky University.