My name is Chris Miller. I have been with the University of Texas at Austin Police Department since 2014. I am a lieutenant and assigned to the Investigations and Mitigation Division. Originally, I am from New York and lived there most of my life before moving to Texas in 2013.
After high school, I attend Manhattanville College where I double majored in Political Science and History, and double minored in Criminal Justice and Legal Studies; I graduated summa cum laude within their pre-law program. While there, I was granted opportunities to spend time and work alongside other non-governmental organizations within the United Nations in 2003. In 2005, and again in 2006, I was chosen to represent my school at the Student Conference on United States Affairs at the West Point Military Academy. After college, I moved to Boston, Massachusetts where I set out to complete my Master’s of Science degree at Northeastern University’s College of Criminal Justice. Upon graduation, I moved back to New York where I worked for a small private security firm. While working there I was responsible for approximately 150 security professionals across three states.
Being from New York originally, I come from a long line of police officers who served with the New York Police Department. In October of 2013, I turned down a position with that agency to move to Texas and take a position here at UT System Police. I believed then, and still believe, that the character and ideology here is more closely inline with my values of service and community first.
After being accepted into the 95th BPOC, I worked to gain the respect of my peers and was elected class president. Throughout my time in the academy I was certain I wanted to become a detective. After field training I set my sights on that goal. In January 2017 I was assigned as a detective in the investigation’s division, and in March of 2018, I was promoted to Detective-Sergeant and selected to run the recently created Threat Mitigation Unit. In August 2019, I promoted to Lieutenant.
In June 2020, I volunteered to leave Investigations and join the Community Engagement Division. In the midst of the anti-police sentiment and challenges stemming from the COVID 19 pandemic, I believed I could be more useful to my department and community in this role. In January 2022, I returned to the Investigations and Mitigation Division to expand our Field Intelligence Unit and area wide risk assessment capabilities.
I have recently been accepted to, and will be attending, the FBI’s National Academy in Quantico, Virginia in January 2024. I’m looking forward to the challenge and successfully representing the agency. The experience will be a growth opportunity for me, both personally and professionally.
I am flattered and honored to be selected as the Officer of the Month. I will continue to work tirelessly for my community, department and team. I genuinely appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve.
