Fischler Alum Named Chief of Georgia Police Department

Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice alum Michael Dieppa has been named the chief of police for a Georgia police department.

Dieppa has spent 28 years working with the Miami-Dade Police Department. But now, he is trading in Florida oranges for Georgia peaches and will now lead the Chamblee Police Department. Chamblee is located northeast of Atlanta.

Dieppa described a feeling of great accomplishment after learning he had been selected for the role.

“It was a really good feeling, that I was able to accomplish one of the biggest goals that I’ve set for myself in my life,” he said.

Dieppa followed in his father’s steps and joined Miami-Dade Police when he was young. In his time with the department, Dieppa moved up several roles, and he earned his bachelor’s in organizational leadership from St. Thomas and his masters in leadership from NSU. He later went on to earn a doctorate in organizational leadership from St. Thomas University.

Dieppa said each of his degrees helped prepare him to take on higher roles in his career. He also said his time at NSU really activated his drive to continue in the realm of higher education.

“During that time at Nova, a professor talked about, it stuck with me — it still sticks with me — that at the time … only about 1% of the population ever gets a doctorate degree or goes beyond a masters.”

“The education component, played a significant role in my development by doing a deeper dive into leadership theory and leadership traits” he added.

Dieppa is set to officially step into the role on Oct. 23.

Fins up to you Chief Dieppa!

Posted 10/08/23