Hampton Cantrell, the newly appointed chief of public safety at Loyola Marymount University, officially took office this week. Cantrell is replacing Raymond Hilyar who held the position for more than 20 years.
Cantrell joins LMU from the Inglewood Police Department where he served as an officer since 1984 and captain from 1999. He received his undergraduate degree in political science and social ecology from the University of California, Irvine and studied for one year in the University of Southern California’s MBA program. Cantrell went on to earn his J.D. from Southwestern University School of Law and was admitted into the California State Bar in June 1998.
After a rigorous interview process and multiple candidates, the interviewing committee chose Cantrell to fill the position.
“I am extremely honored that LMU selected me to be its Chief of Public Safety,” Cantrell said. “I plan to be a visible and responsive member of the LMU community.”
Asked what his number one priority will be, Cantrell said, “The safety of the students. Ultimately, they are why we – the faculty, staff and administration – are here.”
Other goals will be to enhance LMU’s emergency preparedness plans, campus parking and traffic circulation and LMU neighborhood relations.