Rick Wiegmann named chief of PFW’s University Police Department

Purdue University Fort Wayne announced today that Rick A. Wiegmann II has been named chief of the university’s police department. Wiegmann most recently served as the university’s interim police chief and has held the rank of sergeant since joining the university in 2009.

“It is a pleasure to officially name Rick Wiegmann as our Chief of Police,” said Ron Elsenbaumer, chancellor of Purdue Fort Wayne. “As interim chief during the past several months, Chief Wiegmann has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of our Mastodon community. His deep-rooted understanding of our campus culture and his focus on fostering trust through respectful, approachable policing make him the ideal leader to guide our university police department into the future.”

Chief Wiegmann is a veteran of the Purdue Fort Wayne Police Department with more than 16 years of service to the campus community. Throughout his tenure, he has held various leadership roles focusing on all aspects of campus safety and security, while recognizing the importance of engaging with students, faculty, and staff to build trust and confidence in the department.

“It is a profound honor to serve as the Chief of Police for Purdue Fort Wayne,” says Chief Wiegmann. “My career has been dedicated to the idea that campus policing is about more than enforcement; it is about building meaningful connections and serving as a trusted resource for our students, faculty, and staff. I look forward to leading our dedicated officers as we continue to prioritize a safe, inclusive environment through respectful and impartial service, ensuring that every member of our campus community feels secure and supported.”

Chief Wiegmann pursued coursework in industrial technology education at Ball State University and recently completed an associate degree in public safety and security at Purdue University Global. He has earned numerous certifications and awards during the past 25 years, has completed more than 1,700 hours of documented training, and is frequently called upon to train and mentor other law enforcement professionals in the region.

Prior to joining Purdue Fort Wayne in 2009, Chief Wiegmann served as engineering manager at Electrical North Inc. in Fort Wayne and prior to that served as operations manager for Leimer Engineering Services in Huntertown. His appointment at PFW marks the culmination of a competitive search process.

Chief Wiegmann extends his service-driven approach to policing by working closely with community groups, schools, and university partners to build trust, support vulnerable populations, and promote positive engagement. He credits his experience as a foster parent, youth mentor, and church leader with helping shape his approach to compassionate, relationship-based public safety.