Kyle Bonath has 25 years of experience in law enforcement.
The Texas Tech University Police Department has selected Kyle Bonath as its new police chief after former chief Ronald Seacrist retired at the end of May.
Bonath, an Iowa native and Texas Tech alumnus, will begin his new career as police chief in September after a 25-year career as a special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Bonath earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees in business from Texas Tech.
“It's great to come back to Texas Tech and serve,” Bonath said. “It is an honor and privilege to be able to give back to the university. I'm looking forward to continuing the work of the Texas Tech Police Department, as they have a good reputation, meet with faculty and staff, open clear lines of communication and ultimately protect and serve the university.”
During his time with the FBI, Bonath held a wide range of operational and leadership positions, such as managing all FBI investigations in the Eastern District of Oklahoma and serving as a manager for the FBI headquarters in the Financial Crimes Section and the Audit Unit of the Inspections Divisions. He also served as a special agent in Beaumont, Midland and Lubbock.
Bonath retired from the FBI earlier this year and took a job with CenturyLink, serving as the lead security professional for corporate security before taking the police chief position with Texas Tech.
“We are excited to welcome Mr. Bonath to our police force here at Texas Tech” President M. Duane Nellis said. “The safety and security of our students, faculty and staff are paramount at Texas Tech, and we are thankful for the strong, dedicated police force we have protecting us day and night. We are fortunate to have strong leadership and personnel with years of experience like Mr. Bonath that sustain a safe environment on the Texas Tech campus.”
The Texas Tech Police Department has more than 50 commissioned police officers who patrol all Texas Tech properties in the city and county of Lubbock at all times. The police department also investigates cases, completes crime prevention surveys, conducts training and gives presentations to the Texas Tech and local communities about alcohol awareness, active shooter situations, basic crime prevention and other specialized topics.
“We welcome Chief Bonath to Texas Tech and we know he will do a great job,” said Ronald Phillips, Texas Tech University Counsel. “He comes to us with tremendous experience following his tenure with the FBI and he has an understanding of the university community. Having received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Texas Tech, he is a proud Red Raider.”
On the Texas Tech Police Department's website, parents, students, faculty and staff can find different resources and tips for safety, including basic crime prevention, the annual Cleary report, daily crime logs, how to report a crime, programs and services and information about the blue phones around campus, a direct line to the Texas Tech Police Department.
For emergencies, call 911 from any phone line and you will be connected to one of the dispatchers at the Communications Center at the police department on campus. The police department is always available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
