On July 1, Saint Xavier University named Melvin Cornelius the new Chief Police Officer for the Department of Public Safety.
“I really feel that it is a privilege; it’s an honor that comes with quite a bit of responsibility. But, I enjoy it here,” said Chief Cornelius.
Cornelius began his career with the Joliet Junior College Police Department as a patrol officer in 1993. He was promoted to a Commander rank in 2000. Cornelius spent his childhood in Italy, where his father was stationed as a member of the U.S. Military. He began his career in the 1980s working in private investigations.
Compared to other professions, policing is different for Cornelius.“I don’t want to sound cliché, but it’s actually how to better serve the community,” states Cornelius, “What it’s taught me is that it goes beyond just enforcing rules, regulations, laws, and ordinances.”
“It’s taught me how to better serve others,” Cornelius continues, adding, “and I’ve got to say that many of us go home at the end of the day feeling like we’ve actually accomplished something–feeling like we’ve done something good.”
“It’s rewarding. There’s not many professions you could go home at the end of the day and say that,” he says.
Chief Cornelius holds an Associates of Arts Degree from Joliet Junior College; a Bachelor of Arts and Board of Governors Degree from Governors State University, and a Masters Degree in Public Safety Administration from Lewis University.
He completed training through Northwestern University School of Police Supervision, School of Police Staff and Command, and the Executive Management Program. Cornelius is a recipient of the 2004 Northwestern University Public Safety Executive Leadership Award.As a new member of SXU’s Department of Public Safety, he found the staff to be ‘top-notch professionals,’ noting, “Many of our staff come to us with years and years of prior law enforcement experience.”
“My director of Environmental Health and Safety comes from years and years of experience working in police departments and fire departments,” Cornelius adds, “Same thing for many of my civilian staff such as my dispatchers and security officers.”
Cornelius is ‘very impressed’ by SXU’s Public Safety program, saying, “I think that just helps bring better services to our department, institution, students, staff, faculty, and community.”Cornelius, who also donates much of his time working with charitable organizations, is fond of SXU’s Mission Statement.
“The thing that drew me to SXU is the fact that it’s a religious institution and founded by the Sisters of Mercy,” Cornelius mentions. He continues, “During my 33-year-plus career, I’ve helped develop Mission Statements and have seen many Mission Statements.”
“But I was very, very impressed ‘to search for truth,’ ‘think critically,’ ‘serve wisely,’ and ‘support human dignity and the common good,’” says Cornelius, “Those were all of the things that stood out to me.”
Cornelius realizes, “They actually mirror my own personal core values, and so, I really feel that it’s fortunate to be able to work at an institution whose mission is to mirror these values as I become a part of this institutional family, as well as this work family.”
In an email statement sent August 9, Cornelius said, “As a native of Joliet, Illinois, my participation in the law enforcement community is extensive.”
He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the South Suburban Police Chiefs Association, and The Illinois Police Chiefs Association. He also affiliates himself with the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators.
According to a source from Shaw Local News, Cornelius served as interim Chief of Police after being appointed by the Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees. Effective July 5, 2020, he was responsible for managing, operating, supervising, and directing a state-certified, fully accredited police department.
Cornelius discovers that there is more to policing than just to serve and protect. “There are what I call ‘gray areas’– people who are gonna find themselves dealing with mental health issues, that may be severely battered and/or abused; individuals who have special needs, handicapped, may be suffering from depression, suicidal, and may even be homeless.”
Cornelius further states, “These are the individuals that are going to need to be referred to counselors, psychiatrists, shelters, to the Department of Children and Family Services, and other organizations so that they can get the help that they need.”
As the new Police Chief Officer, Cornelius sees potential for SXU’s Public Safety Department. “It’s going to be boots-to-ground, hands-on leadership, with an open-door policy to the entire community.”
Cornelius continues: “I think it’s important to lead by example, so I think that in this world, you should be a role model and a face to your community.”Additionally, one of Chief Cornelius’ key objectives is to build community partnerships.
“By identifying the key stakeholders in our institutional community, as well as our external community, we are then working together with them routinely to facilitate their needs and allow them to have input on how public safety police services are delivered to their areas, just to make sure that this interaction is ongoing.”
Cornelius is ‘very confident’ he made the right choice to serve and protect the SXU community on campus. “I kind of described it by saying that ‘I’m living the dream.”Cornelius states, “I am proud of the Department of Public Safety at St. Xavier University and the excellent services that we provide to our community.”
Cornelius continues: “Education provides a quality of life for our students by helping them obtain the skills that they need to accomplish their goals and dreams.”Cornelius voices the importance of policing duties. “The members of our department are dedicated to making SXU a safe place to learn, work, reside and visit,” Cornelius adds, “We continually establish partnerships with the members of our community.”
“This holistic concept gives community members the opportunity to provide input into how our police services are delivered to their area,” Cornelius says, “When this is accomplished, those in the community see the police as a very viable part of where they live, work, visit and attend school.”
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