23 years after graduating from Clemson, Jason Bruder was sworn in as Clemson University Police Department’s new chief of police on Jan. 5.
Bruder worked with the Charleston Police Department since his graduation from the University in 2002.
When asked how he felt about returning to Clemson in a new role, Bruder said it was “pretty special.”
Bruder told The Tiger in an interview that even though it “sounds kind of corny … there’s truly something in these hills that makes you feel at home.” Getting to be a part of that every day again feels refreshing for him.
Not only was he unique as a former student, but Bruder spent time working for CUPD while living here. He worked full-time in the police department as a dispatcher back when the department was located in the corner of Memorial Stadium.
Originally from North Augusta, South Carolina, Bruder earned his degree in computer science from Clemson prior to working in law enforcement.
When asked what prompted him to enter law enforcement, Bruder said he was inspired a lot by the police corps program he was involved in. The program allowed students to receive tuition assistance if they entered law enforcement after earning their degree. Bruder participated in this program, but the scholarship was discontinued shortly after.
The program is ultimately what sent him to Charleston PD, since there weren’t many police departments participating at the time.
Charleston has the largest municipal police department in South Carolina, which is a significant contrast to Clemson’s environment. Bruder said that his time in Charleston exposed him to several new and educational experiences, and he gained immense experience in regular patrol, investigations, tactical teams, instructing at the police academy and serving as a firearms instructor.
Bruder was also influenced by the National Institute of Justice program, where he attended conferences and learned more about his role as law enforcement.
He discussed how the size and the funding at a department such as Charleston PD taught him a lot, but noted that his return to Clemson has made him realize how similar all departments are.
“You’re really just trying to solve problems for people,” Bruder told The Tiger.
Bruder said that in the end, “it kind of just brought it all back full circle, that you’re really just trying to take care of people.”
Bruder added that his current, most imminent goal for the department is to successfully handle the new concerts happening at Death Valley.
“That’s presenting new and unique challenges that haven’t been tackled by people in quite a while,” Bruder told The Tiger. While Death Valley has experience hosting events, with football season seeing approximately 80,000 visitors each home game, headlining artists like Morgan Wallen are expected to elevate the stadium to a new caliber.
Fortunately, Bruder has experience with large concerts and venues following his time at CPD.
Bruder wants to create a “sustainable and fiscally responsible department” in the long term, and in the short term, he’s seeking to get to know the community more and gain a perspective on the people within it.
This goal reflects his overall perspective on his role. He said his approach to policing “is always just getting to know the people and their problems, so we can make sure we’re solving them.”
Bruder added that his most important goal is preserving the culture and community, since that’s what he believes makes the school and town so unique.
He urges students and faculty to say hello if they ever see him or another member of the department.
