RaShall M. Brackney has been named chief of the George Washington University Police Department.

The department is responsible for providing police and security services for the Foggy Bottom, Mount Vernon and Virginia Science and Technology campuses.

Brackney spent 15 years with the Pittsburgh Police Department, overseeing the Major Crimes Division within the Investigations Branch and as a liaison to several of the colleges and university police departments within her operations area.

Since 2001, she also has managed the Special Deployment Division, including the SWAT team, mounted patrol, accident investigation, hostage negotiations, river rescue, special events, traffic division, tow pound and the bomb squad.

She replaces former Chief Kevin Hay who retired last fall.

In a statement, she said “I am honored to be selected to lead GW’s police force. I look forward to fostering positive police-community relations on campus to mitigate crime and enhance community wellness.”