Public Safety

Public Safety strives to maintain the safety, security, emergency response services, and disaster resilience for the Emory community by providing clear and consistent communication, coordination, training, and guidance to their stakeholders, in support of the missions of the University and Emory Healthcare.

Cheryl Elliott

Vice President, Public Safety

Cheryl Elliott serves as the vice president of public safety at Emory. In this role, Elliott oversees the Emory Police department (EPD), Critical Event Preparedness and Response (CEPAR), Emergency Management Systems (EMS), Clery Reporting, Threat Assessment, Physical Security, and Business Continuity. She works directly with the Chief Administrative Officer to ensure safety is prioritized across the enterprise.

She has dedicated 45 to public safety, most recently as Emory’s chief of police. She has also served as EPD’s public information officer, crime prevention and community relations lieutenant, and commander of the Criminal Investigation Unit. She wrote the department’s Policy and Procedure manual and was deputy chief. Throughout her career with Emory, she has focused on building strong community connections.

A leader in law enforcement practice and policy, Elliott has various certifications with the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Council and is a POST senior instructor. Elliott is board-certified as a certified protection professional and a professional certified investigator through ASIS International Inc. She is an active member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), and the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police.

Elliott has a bachelor's degree in history from Georgia State University and a Master of Public Administration degree from Columbus State University. She also is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.