Decorated Officer Sean O’Brien Sworn in as New UTC Police Chief

In a significant development in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on May 14, 2024, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) officially welcomed its new Chief of Police, Sean O’Brien. A decorated police officer with 24 years of law enforcement experience, O’Brien’s official swearing-in ceremony took place at the historic Patten Chapel.

Comprehensive law enforcement experience

Sean O’Brien comes to UTC from the Chattanooga Police Department, where he served in numerous capacities since 2007. Most notably, his latest role at the Chattanooga Police Department was as a Lieutenant in the Neighborhood Policing Bureau and as Commander in the downtown Chattanooga area.

New leadership team

The ceremony also witnessed the swearing-in of Matthew Holzmacher as Deputy Chief. An administrative Lieutenant since 2021, Holzmacher was part of the UTC Police Department since 2010. Following the retirement of long-serving UTC Chief of Police Robert Ratchford in November 2023, Holzmacher had served as an interim Police Chief.

Emphasizing a commitment to public safety

The solemn ceremony was overseen by the Honorable Travis R. McDonough, the Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. Notable attendees included UTC Chancellor Steven R. Angle, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Brent Goldberg, and former Chattanooga Police Department Chief David Roddy. Following the ceremony, attendees participated in a reception in the UTC Library’s Roth Reading Room.

Meeting the high standards of public safety

The roles that O’Brien and Holzmacher undertake are critical to maintaining the standards of public safety in the UTC community, which includes services such as Clery Compliance/Records Management, Emergency Management, Environmental Health and Safety, and Physical Security. Both brought to their roles their respective spouses, who held the bible during their respective swearing-in ceremonies.

Looking ahead under this new leadership, the UTC Police Department is expected to continue serving and protecting the university community with an emphasis on safety, excellence, and integrity.

In the aftermath of the ceremony, the HERE News would like to congratulate both Sean O’Brien and Matthew Holzmacher on their respective appointments and wishes them the best in their new roles.