The future of the Department of Public Safety’s leadership remains unanswered after almost six months since former campus police Chief Shanon Anderson officially left Oregon State University.

Anderson, who was put on paid leave Dec. 11, 2024, officially “separated from employment” at the university March 25. The reason for Anderson’s departure is unknown. 

Following her December leave, James Yon was appointed as the acting police chief on an interim basis and has been serving in the role since.  

Yon joined OSU in March 2022 following a 28-year career in law enforcement in Linn County, according to OSU’s staff directory. 

The Barometer was unable to reach Yon for a comment. 

“DPS is excelling in its operations under the leadership of Interim Chief Jim Yon,” Rob Odom, vice president for University Relations and Marketing, said in an email. 

While DPS has been “excelling” under current leadership according to Odom, it is unclear if Yon will continue to lead the department on a permanent basis. 

In a July email to the Barometer, Yon said that he was still deciding whether or not to apply for the position and was giving himself six months to make up his mind. 

“Information related to the search for OSU’s next Chief of Police will be forthcoming later this academic year,” Odom wrote. “We are still in the interim phase, things are going well, and there won’t be much to say for several months.”

The Barometer will continue to follow the progress of DPS leadership as information becomes available.