Department of Public Safety, Parking and Transportation Services to split

The top job at the Department of Public Safety will soon be divided between two staff members.

Susan Szpyrka, vice chancellor, Administration and Finance, announced Wednesday, plans to create separate leadership positions for Police Operations and the Parking and Transportation Services Department.

Effective April 1, Jim Spice, currently executive director, Department of Public Safety, and chief of police, will become executive director of the Department of Parking and Transportation Services. In this position, Spice will be responsible for the operations of the university’s parking lots, garages, shuttle buses, vehicle fleet, and future planning to serve campus parking and transportation needs.

“With the growth of the campus, the job had really gotten too big for one person to do well,” Spice said. “I am excited to have the opportunity to focus on campus parking and transportation issues and I look forward to meeting the challenges of a growing campus.”

Spice joined the UCCS Department of Public Safety in 1998 and served in various positions including police officer, corporal/parking manager, and sergeant before being named interim chief in 2006 and chief in 2007.

With the change in Spice’s duties, Szpyrka announced Brian McPike, currently police lieutenant, will serve as interim executive director, Department of Public Safety, and chief of police. McPike joined the UCCS Department of Public Safety in 2008 and previously served in law enforcement positions with the Greenwood Village Police Department and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office. In addition to his Department of Public Safety duties, he also teaches criminal justice courses through Weekend University.