BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Wayne James has been named to a new position in the Indiana University Police Department: assistant vice president and deputy superintendent for law enforcement operations, diversity and community engagement. Since 2019, James has served as deputy superintendent for regional law enforcement, as well as IUPD’s first chief diversity officer.
James will oversee the police chiefs on all seven IU campuses, broadening the focus on diversity and inclusion within IUPD and strengthening IUPD’s connection to the larger campus community on these issues.

He will work closely with IU’s Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Multicultural Affairs, focusing on expanding IUPD’s recruitment and hiring practices in the areas of diversity and inclusion. Currently, recruitment at IUPD is managed by each IU campus individually. This renewed effort will centralize efforts, with the goal of creating a more diverse police department.
“Empowering Wayne James to deepen and extend his focus on the critically important issues of diversity and inclusion will strengthen IUPD’s mission to serve everyone on our campuses,” said John Applegate, IU executive vice president for university academic affairs. “This change will allow IUPD to collaborate even more closely with the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Multicultural Affairs. IUPD aims to be a model of a progressive, inclusive law enforcement agency, and Wayne James’ stronger connection to DEMA will enhance our ability to fulfill that mission.”
“Wayne James is an exceptional leader who cares deeply about the communities he serves,” said James C. Wimbush, IU vice president for diversity, equity and multicultural affairs; dean of the University Graduate School; and Johnson Chair for Diversity and Leadership. “His focus on de-escalation, diversity and community-building has benefited law enforcement, our campuses and communities throughout the state. I’m excited about him having an expanded role and a closer connection to my office.”
In addition, James will coordinate IUPD’s outreach with the entire university, enhancing partnerships with all of the diverse communities served by IUPD.
“This expansion of duties will continue to advance the Indiana University Police Department and the campus communities we serve,” said Benjamin Hunter, associate vice president for public safety and institutional assurance and superintendent for public safety at IU. “Our progressive commitments to training, recruitment and police development have benefited from Wayne’s continued leadership.”
Throughout his tenure at IUPD, James has brought a strong commitment to diversity and progressive training and tactics in law enforcement. He led IUPD’s 2018 de-escalation and training commission that revamped officers’ training, adding cutting-edge training modules in implicit bias awareness, de-escalation, mental health first aid and procedural justice.
A Gary, Indiana, native, James has risen through the ranks of area law enforcement over the past 17 years. Before transferring to Bloomington, he served as chief of police at IUPD-Northwest, where he developed the law enforcement practices and strategies that make the campus one of the safest in the state.
The recognition he has received for his work includes the 40 Under 40 award from the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the City of Gary Legend Award, a Medal of Valor, the Congressman Pete Visclosky Award for Going Above the Call of Duty and the Urban League of Northwest Indiana Diversity Workforce Award. He has also received two awards from the Northwest Indiana Public Information Officers Association for Going Above and Beyond the Call of Duty and for Officer Recognition.
Throughout his career, James has been active in community and professional organizations. He was recently appointed to serve as director-at-large on the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators board of directors. He has also been involved with the Urban League of Northwest Indiana, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police.