Patrick Ogden is a 37-year veteran of law enforcement. He was selected to lead the University of Delaware Police Department, as Chief of Police in 2009. The department has an authorized strength of 92 full-time personnel who are assigned to the patrol, special operations, auxiliary operations, and administrative services divisions, as well 100 students who staff the Cadet Program and Emergency Care Unit. Chief Ogden developed and executed innovative crime reduction strategies and community policing initiatives to enhance safety and decrease Part I crime, by nearly 59 percent over the past 15 years. The department is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies for advanced law enforcement and for public safety communications. Ogden currently serves as president for the Delaware Association of Chiefs of Police, as well as an appointed member of the Board of Directors for the International Association of Chiefs of Police and is a past-president for the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators.

Before his appointment at the University of Delaware, Chief Ogden served for 22 years with the Delaware State Police, holding various assignments, including: officer in charge of the New Castle County Criminal Investigative Unit, troop commander, deputy commander of the Special Investigations Unit, task force officer with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, detective, and patrol trooper. He also spent 16 years assigned to the statewide Special Operations Response Team. Chief Ogden was recognized for many accomplishments throughout his state police career; to include an Excellence in Government Service Award, an Exceptional Performance Award, two Superintendent’s Citations, a Valor Award, and a Co-Trooper of the Year award.

Chief Ogden earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Wilmington College, attended the Northwestern University School of Police Staff & Command, the DEA Drug Unit Commanders Academy, the United States Secret Service Dignitary Protection Seminar, the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar, the Police Executive Research Forum Senior Management Institute for Police, and the United States Department of Homeland Security Leadership Academy.

Chief Ogden is a lifelong Delaware resident, who resides in Wilmington with his wife Christine and their two daughters, Megan, and Elizabeth. His father and two of his five brothers were also career law enforcement officers.