Kevin Lutz has championed de-escalation, accountability and community policing throughout his 20 years of law enforcement experience.
Following a highly competitive selection process, Kevin Lutz, a 16-year veteran of the Camden County Police Department and former U.S. Marine, was sworn in as chief of police from Rutgers University-Camden Monday, August 1. Lutz comes to Rutgers-Camden with a wealth of law enforcement leadership experience, having achieved the rank of Captain with the Camden County Police Department in 2019. He has earned a national reputation as a expert in police reform, working with organizations such as the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, the United States Department of Justice and the ACLU to promote better organizational culture, appropriate use of force and impartiality in modern police institutions.
Rutgers-Camden Chancellor Antonio D. Tillis called Lutz’s appointment as police chief a watershed moment for public safety at the university.
“Captain Lutz’s knowledge and strength of character was evident throughout the selection process,” said Chancellor Tillis. “As the new Chief of Police, he brings a proven progressive vision that will enable everyone on our campus, regardless of race, gender, disability or economic status, to receive the highest level of protection and service from our officers.”
After four years of service in the U.S. Marines, during which he earned the rank of Lance Corporal, Lutz joined the Oaklyn, NJ Police Department as a patrol officer. He came to Camden in 2006, rising to the ranks of sergeant in 2013 and lieutenant in 2015. Along with numerous awards for bravery, heroism and meritorious service in service, Lutz has amassed a distinguished list of professional certifications and achievements related to officer accountability. , mental health awareness, refugee services and fatal incident prevention.
Throughout his career, Lutz has forged strong bonds with Camden. As captain of the Camden County Police Department, he was responsible for community safety operations and investigative units which required him to oversee approximately 400 people. Lutz was heavily involved in training new officers and served on the Camden County Police Academy Advisory Board.
At the same time, Lutz made a national impact, with his expertise in high demand far beyond the confines of South Jersey. He has served as an expert witness and subject matter expert in court proceedings regarding de-escalation, use of force and defensive tactics. Lutz worked with the ACLU and the NYU Policing Project to create a nationally recognized use of force policy. Perhaps most notably, he testified before the Minnesota Police-Involved Deadly Force Encounters Working Group, which has become a key institution in discussions of police reform following the June 2020 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
The Rutgers-Camden community gathered at the center of campus on Monday to watch Police Chief Lutz’s swearing-in ceremony. Chancellor Tillis, Mayor of Camden Victor Carstarphen, Antonio Calcado, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Rutgers, Rutgers University Police Chief Kenneth Cop and Camden County District Attorney Grace MacAulay were among those who spoke at the event, marking an exciting new development in the ongoing commitment to Rutgers-Camden towards forward-looking, community-focused policing.
