Douglas P. Roberts, assistant special agent in charge for the St. Louis Field Office of the U.S. Secret Service, has been named chief of University Police at Missouri University of Science and Technology. He replaces Raymon Bogart, who had served in an interim role since former Chief Christine Laughlin retired in 2015. Roberts’ position takes effect June 1.

“Agent Roberts’ extensive background in law enforcement, both with the Kansas City Police Department and with the U.S. Secret Service, combined with his educational background in criminal justice administration, make him an excellent choice to lead the Missouri S&T Police Department,” says Walter J. Branson, vice chancellor for finance and administration at Missouri S&T. “I look forward to having him join our team.”

Roberts has worked for the U.S. Secret Service since 1991. Because of the unique integrated mission of the Secret Service, Roberts has a background in protection as well as criminal investigations. He has served as a back-up supervisor assigned to the Vice Presidential Protective Division, and he has coordinated both domestic and international protective assignments. He has led the security details for several visits by high-level heads of state, including the prime minister of Japan and the prime minister of Israel. He has managed activities for three Secret Service offices, been the primary supervisor in two offices, and has directed three financial crimes task forces and two electronic crimes task forces. He currently manages the 242-member Gateway Electronic Crimes and Financial Crimes Task Force.

“The importance of partnership-building and cooperative relationships are integral to the success of the Secret Service with both its protective and investigative missions,” Roberts says.

Since 2002, Roberts has served as an instructor at the International Law Enforcement Academy in Budapest, Hungary, and was an instructor for the Federal Reserve Board in Lagos, Nigeria. Roberts has also instructed several law enforcement agencies on financial crimes investigative techniques.

Prior to joining the Secret Service, Roberts was an officer on the Kansas City (Missouri) Police Department, where he served on the Tactical Response Team and was a field training officer and a patrol officer.

Roberts has received numerous commendations, including two Certificates of Commendation from the Kansas City Police Department, the Distinguished Service Award from Northland Citizens Crusade Against Crime, a Distinguished Service Award from the U.S. Government, the St. Louis Federal Executive Board Supervision Award, the YMCA Social Responsibility Award, the 2015 Midwest Financial Fraud Investigators Len Applebaum Award and the U.S. Secret Service Director’s Lifesaving Award, which he received in 2014 and 2015.

Roberts earned a bachelor of science degree from Park College in 1991 and a master of science degree in 2014 from the University of Central Missouri, both in criminal justice administration. He also attended leadership and management courses at the U.S. Secret Service Training Center, in Beltsville, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.