Meet Chief Harris

When Matthew Harris, PhD, saw the opening for Chief of Police and Associate Vice Chancellor at CU Anschutz, it felt like the right opportunity at the right time. After nearly two years as the elected sheriff of Clear Creek County – and 27 years as a federal agent – he was looking for a change that aligned with his family and his values.

“My family’s down in the Denver metro area, and the back-and-forth was getting tough,” he said. “I’m in Aurora all the time because my daughter competes here as a competitive gymnast, and there’s a deeper connection here – the campus saved my son’s life.”

Years ago, Harris’s son was treated for an aggressive, fast-growing blood cancer called T-ALL at Children’s Hospital Colorado. “Children’s saved his life,” he shared. “He’s 13 now and more than three years out of treatment. The work on this campus isn’t abstract to me – I’ve lived it.”

That’s part of why CU Anschutz felt like home: a mission-driven academic community and a chance to blend law enforcement leadership with his love for higher education. Harris has taught university courses in public policy, public administration and criminal law for more than 15 years, with stints at the University of Maryland, John Jay College of Criminal Justice and Salt Lake Community College. 

Chief Harris’s career path may surprise some. After decades in federal service – including a presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed role as a U.S. Marshal – he moved into local leadership, ultimately serving as an elected sheriff in his most recent role. “It’s a bit of a reverse career,” he admitted. “Most people go local to federal and then retire. I did the opposite.”

Vision for Campus Safety

Asked about his five-year vision for safety at CU Anschutz, Harris is clear and candid: “Be proactive. Be engaged with the community. Keep doing events that help students, faculty, staff and visitors feel comfortable with our policing model. And behind the scenes – plan, prepare and keep the campus safe.”

He’s committed to staying on the cutting edge with technology and maintaining a mindset of continuous improvement. “Complacency creeps in when things feel quiet,” he said. “Our job is to grow, build and stay ready – so people feel welcome and safe here every day.”

Success, in his view, is both cultural and operational. “A professional department with integrity. A team that strives to get better every day. Respect inside and outside the campus. And doing everything possible to keep our community safe.”

Harris’s immediate priorities? Crosswalk safety and building access. He plans to kick off a campuswide PSA on crosswalk safety at the start of the year, coupled with thoughtful improvements to badge access. “Safety isn’t just one thing – it’s traffic behavior, awareness and access. We’ll make sure people get the access they need while limiting access where they shouldn’t have access.”

Leadership and Mentorship

Of his proudest achievements, Harris points to the work of rebuilding the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office. “My job was to rebuild – professionalize, modernize and bring in the right people,” he said. “Leadership is about building the bench, giving people tools, and giving them grace to make mistakes and grow.”

Mentorship is a thread that runs through his teaching and his command experience. “There’s nothing better than hearing from a former student years later: ‘Because of you, I went to law school,’ or ‘I chose public service.’ You realize purpose isn’t a buzzword – it’s the work.”

If Harris hadn’t chosen law enforcement, he suspects he would have gone into politics or public policy. For now, he’s exactly where he wants to be. “This job is a perfect balance of my academic background and my law enforcement background,” he said. “I’m excited to be here, to learn and to make a difference.”