With more than 17 years of law-enforcement experience, Eric Stickel has officially been promoted to chief of police for the Cornell University Police Department, according to a Thursday announcement by David Honan, associate vice president for public safety.
Stickel will replace former police chief Anthony Bellamy, who announced his retirement from the position on Sept. 12. Bellamy was CUPD’s first Black chief and has more than two decades of experience on the force. Following Bellamy’s retirement, Stickel served as the interim chief of police.
Stickel is an alumnus of nearby Lansing High School, where he works as the girls soccer team’s head coach. During his time with CUPD, he has been awarded the Frank G. Hammer Officer of the Month and Tompkins County STOP DWI Award of Excellence.
According to the Cornell Chronicle, Stickel is a drug recognition expert who is trained to recognize the signs of impairment in drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In 2021, Stickel and Segregant Scott Salino were honored with the Director’s Citation for assisting a fellow officer during a life-threatening medical emergency.
“Chief Stickel has demonstrated unwavering dedication, professionalism and leadership throughout his tenure with CUPD,” Honan told the Cornell Chronicle. “This promotion is a well-deserved recognition of his service and vision for the future of CUPD.”
Stickel studied criminal justice at Lycoming College, receiving his bachelor’s degree in 2007. He also graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy’s program and is a master's student at the University of Virginia’s Master of Public Safety program.
“I believe that relationships are only built at the speed of trust,” Stickel told the Cornell Chronicle. “Investing in social capital and our youth has been a driving force in my life. I’ve been involved in all kinds of things — school events, town parades, coaching — and I want to bring that same involvement and connection into my role now as police chief.”
Zeinab Faraj is a member of the class of 2028 in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is the features editor on the 143rd Editorial Board and was the assistant sports editor of the 143rd Editorial Board. You can reach her at zfaraj@cornellsun.com.
