Profile: Chris Goodman-Bowen, Head of Campus Safety
Chris and the Campus Safety team are responsible for ensuring our University campus is a welcoming, safe and secure place for everyone in our community.
About Chris
After a successful career spanning almost 30 years in UK policing Chris retired as a Chief Superintendent and now leads the University’s Campus Safety team.
Throughout his policing career, Chris held a wide range of operational roles, with particular expertise in public order and public safety. Before joining York, he served in senior leadership positions at Greater Manchester Police and West Yorkshire Police, where he commanded the policing of major public events, including the Rugby and Cricket World Cups.
As a District Commander and Senior Responsible Officer, Chris developed and sustained strong partnerships with local communities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he served as Tactical Silver Commander for the police response in Leeds, leading and adapting under unprecedented circumstances.
At the national level, Chris played a key role in developing the use of Police Liaison Officers in protest situations. He collaborated with experts from Keele and Leeds universities to design a new, peaceful and effective model for managing protests.
Joining York’s community
Chris joined York in January 2025, bringing his experience in strategic planning and operational delivery to one of the UK’s leading universities. His measured and collaborative approach to handling complex and sensitive issues aligns with our Together York ethos, helping to strengthen community wellbeing and improve safety.
Chris says: “As Head of Campus Safety, building a safe and supportive environment is the foundation of our work. It's about ensuring a sense of security for every student, colleague and visitor. We're committed to creating a strong respectful community without limits, which means working collaboratively both on and off campus.
“My team is dedicated to building strong relationships not only with our staff and students, but also with our local partners and community across the city, ensuring we can all live, work and learn in an environment that values equality and opportunity, positive behaviours and mutual respect.
“I'm keen for my team to be proactive partners in this effort, building the trust and strong relationships that make York such an exceptional place to be.”