Darin Rasmussen has been hired as the new director of public safety and university chief of police at Western Washington University.

Rasmussen has served as an interim police chief for WWU since September 2013, and has also previously served as assistant chief. He succeeded Randy Stegmeier, who left to take over as manager of security for the Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority in Seattle.

“Darin is an excellent law enforcement professional and strong leader for all of Public Safety. Importantly, he also understands the vital role Public Safety plays in serving students and the university community,” Richard Van Den Hul, WWU’s vice president for business and financial affairs, said in a news release.

Rasmussen earned a bachelor’s degree from Washington State University and graduated from Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command in 2007.

He served with the Marysville Police Department for more than 22 years, including as lieutenant, detective sergeant and accreditation manager.