Faculty Details

Instructor Id: 7368730

Karen K. Patterson

Assistant Police Chief (Ret.)
University of Cincinnati Police Department
Cincinnati, Ohio

Assistant Chief Patterson began her career in law enforcement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). She was a Campground Attendant and dispatched park personnel. After attending the police academy, she worked for ODNR as a Preserve Officer along the Little Miami River.

In September of 1985, Ms. Patterson joined the University of Cincinnati Police (UCPD) as a Police Officer. During her time with the UCPD, she served in numerous positions including Crime Prevention Officer, Training Coordinator, Detective, Lieutenant, Public Information Officer, Executive Staff Officer and Captain. She retired in June of 2011 as an Assistant Police Chief in charge of records, dispatch, training, investigations, crime prevention and auxiliary officers. While at UC Karen performed protection services for a number of visiting dignitaries and was the personal protection agent for Dr. Nancy Zimpher, President of the University of Cincinnat, on several details.

Ms. Patterson’s career has focused on crime prevention and collaboration. She was awarded the Community Problem Oriented Policing Award for outstanding partnership efforts in 2006 for her work with the Cincinnati Police Department. The crime prevention effort resulted in a 74% reduction in theft related crimes in the communities surrounding the University of Cincinnati.

Assistant Chief Patterson is a strong believer in education and has been an instructor in the field of law enforcement for many years. She has taught classes for several local police academies in a variety of topics. Ms. Patterson also holds the position of Adjunct Professor at the University of Cincinnati. She teaches classes in Police Effectiveness, Community Policing, Survey of Policing and Introduction to Policing. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communications and Human Relations from Eastern Kentucky University and a Masters of Education degree from the University of Cincinnati She is presently working on her PhD in Educational Studies at the University of Cincinnati. She is a 2003 graduate of the Northwestern University Staff and Command School.

Ms. Patterson is a graduate of the Executive Protection Institute and a member of the Nine Lives Associates.