UAPD Administrator Announces Retirement After Nearly 25 Years

Photo Submitted

Capt. Kathryn Huddler

Capt. Kathryn Huddler is set to retire from the U of A Police Department after nearly 25 years of service.

As a role model for all UAPD employees, Huddler has been instrumental in coordinating multiple security services offered by UAPD, as well as reaccreditation efforts.

“Capt. Huddler has been instrumental to our growth while serving second in command for the department,” UAPD Chief Stephen Gahagans said. “We will have a big gap to fill, as she was well rounded in her knowledge and operations of the department.”

Huddler started as a patrol officer in August 1996. Two years later, she was assigned to the Fourth Judicial District Drug Task Force, where she served from May to November 1998. She then became the crime prevention officer for UAPD as well as the instructor of record and coordinator for the Women’s Self-Defense Course, roles she has maintained throughout her time with UAPD.

Officer Huddler added crime victim assistance duties, supervision of the Razorback Patrol Escort Service and coordinator for UAPD participation in the National Youth Sports Program in 1998; in 1999, Huddler was awarded UAPD Officer of the Year.

Huddler became a shift commander in January 2003 and sharpened her skills at planning, coordinating and supervising operations and events. She also became involved in the department accreditation process and in career development for law enforcement officers.

In September 2003, Huddler was promoted to sergeant and took the lead in training and career development as well as event management. Huddler has played a role in every UAPD employee’s hiring and training and has played a key role in successful reaccreditation efforts.

In addition, law enforcement involvement in both large events — football games and Walmart Shareholders — to small events requiring the presence of one or two officers were all planned and coordinated by Huddler. In 2004 she was awarded UAPD Employee of the Year.

Huddler was promoted to lieutenant in 2006 and took on even more responsibility. She was assigned to manage Police Services (uniformed officers and supervisors) and accreditation, to coordinate all UAPD campus VIP security plans, to direct the department recruitment program, to supervise the training and career development sergeant and to conduct internal affairs investigations when warranted. Due to her extraordinary efforts, Huddler was awarded Employee of the Year in 2006.

In September 2007, Huddler was promoted to captain. In addition to her work within the department, she chose to serve on university committees such as RazorCat and Parking and Transit. She was an inaugural member of the Chancellor’s Commission on Women and later served as chair.

She was co-captain of the Red, White and True Fundraising Campaign and also served as secretary/treasurer of the Arkansas Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators.

Huddler’s efforts have made UAPD more professional and the U of A campus safer. UAPD and the entire campus will miss Capt. Huddler.

The public is welcome to participate in her retirement celebration on Thursday, April 29. While maintaining COVID-19 restrictions, a drive-by reception will be held in the south parking lot at the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House starting at 2 p.m.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the top 3% of U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research News.