Howard Cook Named Interim Chief of Campus Safety

Howard Cook, who recently retired from the Columbia College Police Department after serving for 17 years, has been named as the Interim Chief of Campus Safety for Limestone College.

Limestone’s long-time Chief of Campus Security Richard Simmons retired earlier this year.

During his tenure at Columbia College, Cook held several positions, including President of the South Carolina National Academy Associates, Director-At-Large of the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, President of the South Carolina Campus Law Enforcement Association for eight years, Board of Directors for Clubhouse Gang of Eau Claire, Board of Directors for the Columbia Police Athletic League, and was on the Board of Directors for the National Public Safety Alliance.

Cook, who retired recently after 28 years of service in law enforcement, was also a member of the School Safety Technology working group for the National Institute of Justice, Committee member of the Department of Justice’s Ballistic (STC) group, member of the FBI’s Executive joint terrorism task force, as well as being a National Criminal Justice Technology Resource Grant Reviewer.

“I am pleased to have this opportunity to work in the security department of such a wonderful college as Limestone,” Howard said. “The people of this outstanding institution have really opened their arms to me and it already feels like home. My goal, and the objective of our entire staff, is to make Limestone College one of the safest schools in the Southeast.”

Cook has served on several state commissions, including Governor Nikki Haley’s South Carolina Victim Service Coordinating Council, Haley’s Taskforce for Domestic Violence, and Governor Mark Sanford’s Commission for Certification for Law Enforcement.

His awards include 1993 Police Officer of the Year, Cayce/West Columbia Optimist Club; 2000 Community Service Award, Columbia College; 2000 Field Training Officer Award, Columbia College; 2001 Police Officer of the Year, Columbia College; 2001 Certificate of Merit, Columbia College; 2006 Certificate of Appreciation, International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators; 2009 Certificate of Dedication, Linda B. Floyd Campus Safety Award;  2010 President’s Award, South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Association; and 2013 Exemplary School Safety Award, National School Safety Advocacy Council.

Cook’s departmental awards include 2006 Santee Cooper Award of Excellence in Law Enforcement, 2009 SCANNA Crime Prevention Award, and 2013 National Exemplary School Safety Award.

“Howard has a tremendous amount of experience and a proven track record,” said Limestone President Dr. Walt Griffin. “He shares our vision of promoting a culture of excellence within our Campus Safety Department and the campus community as a whole. Howard’s background will make our security efforts even stronger.”