William Babb has been named the new chief of police and director of security at Virginia Tech University.

Former Virginia Tech Police Chief Kevin Foust will oversee several departments as the associate vice president for safety and security, says a news report. Foust’s new position was created as a component of Senior Vice President Dwayne Pinkney’s plan to reorganize many of the university’s operations as the VTPD, Virginia Tech Emergency Management, Virginia Tech Health and Safety and the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad were all independent entities. 

Babb began his career at the Roanoke Police Department as a police officer. He was promoted to sergeant in 1999 and lieutenant in 2006. During his career, Babb managed the canine unit, served as a tactical response team commander, directed the police academy, and completed his career supervising the Investigations Bureau.

He has received numerous awards over his career, including the Commonwealth Valor Award and the Lifesaving Award from the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police.

Babb received a bachelor’s degree from Roanoke College and a master’s degree from American Military University. Babb is a graduate of the National Criminal Justice Command College.