August 31, 2004
Sigler to head Department of Public Safety
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Todd D. Sigler, a veteran member of the Southern Illinois University Carbondale police department, is the new director of the University's Department of Public Safety. Catherine A. Hagler, executive director of administration, announced the appointment today (Tuesday, Aug. 31). Sigler, 43, starts his new position on Wednesday, Sept. 1. The appointment is subject to ratification by the SIU Board of Trustees.
 |
Hagler said Sigler's extensive law enforcement background, including 11 years of progressive administration, makes him an "excellent choice for the position of Director of Public Safety."
"His familiarity with the campus and the Carbondale community will help strengthen the department's relationships and build new ones," she said. "He has proven himself to be a team leader, finding the strengths in others and providing training where needed."
The department has 36 active sworn officers and 17 office staff, which includes parking division employees.
Sigler, who became a captain in 2003, was chosen from an initial field of 43 applicants. He succeeds Samuel L. Jordan, who retired in December after 11 years in the post. Kay W. Doan, a lieutenant with the department since 1989, has been serving as interim director. She was not a candidate for the permanent position.
Sigler's career in law enforcement dates to 1983, when he joined the Saluki Patrol as a student patrol officer.
"To be in this position, to be selected is quite an honor," said Sigler.
"I feel as though I was born at SIUC," he said. "I really love the University. I don't just say that; I feel it and I believe it."
Sigler earned a bachelor's degree in administration of justice in 1983 and a master's degree in public affairs in 1988, both from SIUC. Sigler is currently a doctoral candidate at SIUC in educational administration and higher education.
He joined the department full time in 1985, then worked as an investigator with the Illinois Secretary of State Police from October 1988 to May 1990, when he returned to SIUC. Sigler became a corporal in April 1993, sergeant in May 1993 and lieutenant in February 1998. Sigler became captain and commander of the Uniformed Patrol Division and Organization Development and Support Services in July 2003.
As a captain, in addition to supervising SIUC police officers and the Saluki Patrol program, he oversaw the training program, pressure point and control tactics program, field training officer program and the disaster preparedness program. He also commanded of the department's tactical response team, crisis management team and explosive ordinance disposal unit.
Sigler views himself as a facilitator for ideas and finding answers. It is important to build a consensus not only in departmental policies, but also within the campus community, he said.
"When we implement things here it is a collaborative effort," Sigler said. "I get as much assistance as a person could possibly hope for from the employees. It has always been a mutual effort; it is not any one person."
Sigler intends to continue an open-door policy, and plans to take the opportunity to work patrols with officers. He was working foot patrol in housing areas until 4 a.m. Saturday, after working his regular day shift Friday.
"Not only do I have an opportunity to work with great people here, but the folks I work with on a day-to-day basis at this University really make you want to come to work," he said. "You know they are working hard Š to try and deliver the best possible services we can to the campus and the community. Knowing that, you say to yourself, 'If they are working that hard, I need to be there working with them.'"
Sigler and his wife, Patty, live in Carterville. They have two children: Jason, a sophomore in marketing at SIUC, and a daughter, Austyn, who is in the fifth grade at Carterville Intermediate School.
Promoting campus safety is among the goals of Southern at 150: Building Excellence Through Commitment, the blueprint for the development of the University by the time it celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2019.