UNews - John O'Keeffe

New Chief Safety & Risk Officer to start in early September

caroline.zentner — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 20:33:04 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is delighted to welcome John O’Keeffe back to campus as the new Chief Safety & Risk Officer. A seasoned leader in the post-secondary sector, O’Keeffe is no stranger to ULethbridge. He previously served in a similar capacity before returning to the UK in 2017. Now, nearly eight years later, he’s returning — excited to rejoin a campus and community he knows well.

“I am thrilled to return to ULethbridge, a place where I experienced tremendous growth both professionally and personally,” says O’Keeffe. “The opportunity to contribute to the safety, resilience and overall excellence of this institution is something I deeply value, and I look forward to serving the community once again.”

O’Keeffe brings over 15 years of leadership experience in higher education to the role. His expertise spans safety, security, emergency preparedness and institutional risk — critical pillars in building a resilient and future-ready university.

“We’re very fortunate to welcome John back to ULethbridge,” says Deborah Lucas, Vice-President, Finance & Administration. “His familiarity with our campus community is a great asset, and he brings with him an expanded skill set and valuable perspectives gained from leadership roles at other institutions.”

O’Keeffe’s journey back to ULethbridge includes a one-year tenure as Head of Security & Emergency Planning at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Birmingham, UK, followed by more than six years at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT). While at NAIT, he progressed from Director of Safety and Security to senior leadership roles, including Executive Director of Risk Management Services and, most recently, Associate Vice-President of Campus Services.

His return comes at a pivotal time as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ advances the goals of the 2025 Strategic Plan, which emphasizes creating a safe, inclusive and empowering environment where people can thrive. Okeeffe’s collaborative leadership style and deep commitment to community well-being align seamlessly with the ULethbridge values of access, quality, connection and belonging.

“I’m so excited to be returning to Iniskim, a place that truly lives and breathes values like access, quality, strong relationships and a deep-rooted sense of belonging,” he says. “These values resonate with me because they align deeply with my own principles and professional goals, to foster environments where individuals feel supported, connected and empowered to achieve their potential. I’m feeling hopeful and ready for the journey ahead.”

With John's appointment, which is effective September 2, 2025, the Safety & Risk Services Department will transition from its current reporting structure under Facilities to report directly to the Vice-President, Finance & Administration portfolio. This realignment reflects the growing importance of safety, institutional risk, and resilience for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and our community.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge partners with Campus Alberta to produce active shooter education video

trevor.kenney — Mon, 26 May 2014 18:31:32 +0000

A group of Alberta post-secondary education institutions, including the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, has launched an initiative to educate staff and students about how to respond in an active shooter situation.

An active shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area.

“An active-shooter scenario at an Alberta campus is an unlikely event, but it is a critical exercise to ensure that our campus community understands how to react should such an incident occur,” says ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Executive Director of Campus Safety, John O’Keeffe.

The Campus Alberta Risk and Assurance Committee (CARA) has produced a short video that depicts a dramatization of an active shooting scenario. The dramatization is supported by a voiceover and on-screen instructions. The instructions stress three courses of action: escaping when possible; hiding and barricading when necessary; and, as a final resort, using force against the assailant.

“The messages are blunt and the dramatization is intense,” says Philip Stack, Associate Vice President of Risk Management at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta, and chair of CARA. “But we are speaking to an adult audience and we need to hold their attention while giving them vital information.”

Along with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, partner institutions include Concordia ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ College, MacEwan ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, Mount Royal ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, Norquest College, SAIT Polytechnic and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta. The group consulted with police experts during the development of the materials, which are available to all post-secondary institutions across the province on a cost-recovery basis.

Developers of the video relied extensively on existing materials and training available in various jurisdictions in both Canada and the United States.

Clips of the video are available online at: http://www.ualberta.ca/~uaemerg/Active/

Screenings of the video, along with a presentation by Campus Safety, are now available to all campus units by contacting John O’Keeffe at john.okeeffe@uleth.ca.

O'Keeffe motivated to foster culture of giving

trevor.kenney — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 21:02:03 +0000

When John O’Keeffe took the Oath of Canadian Citizenship in 2011, he found the entire ceremony poignant and moving. But one particular aspect of the proceedings stood out to O’Keeffe above the rest. Sitting in the assembly room among 30 other felicitous applicants waiting to swear allegiance to queen and country, O’Keeffe was struck by the words of a Court of Queen’s Bench judge who spoke about what it means to be Canadian.

John O'Keeffe sees giving back as a tenet of being truly Canadian.

“The thing that got me was the responsibility to foster a culture of giving,” says O’Keeffe. “Being charitable is part of the cultural fabric. It’s almost a prerequisite for calling yourself Canadian. You can have the piece of paper, you can have the passport, but if you’re really going to embody being Canadian you need to believe in the common good. You have to give back.”

O’Keeffe takes this sentiment to heart. He’s been a monthly contributor to the U of L’s Supporting Our Students (SOS) scholarship and bursary funds for years, making his first donation not long after joining the U of L staff as parking director. O’Keeffe has since become executive director of Campus Safety, a role that fully utilizes the skills he honed over a long and illustrious career in the British military.

Born in Rotherham, Yorkshire, England, O’Keeffe enlisted at the age of 16 and travelled the world in service with the Royal Military Police. O’Keeffe spent four years at CFB Suffield before retiring from military life in August 2009. Not one to sit idle, O’Keeffe began working at the U of L the very next day.

O’Keeffe draws many interesting parallels between the military and university life – leaders and followers, instructors and students, veterans and new recruits. Contributing to the SOS fund is one way O’Keeffe feels he can help keep the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ moving forward as a cohesive unit in the right direction.

“Investing in the organization you belong to is key to its success,” says O’Keeffe. “Even if you have highly talented employees, if they’re not invested in some way, they’re probably not achieving their full potential. We should invest in the culture of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and in the students themselves. We need to support our campus and make it the kind of place where everyone thrives. If you’re not willing to invest in the people you’re here to serve, you probably should be looking for another job.”

O’Keeffe doesn’t stipulate where his SOS contributions go, but admits he has great admiration for student athletes and First Nations students as well. He’s happy to let the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ decide where his dollars would be best spent and takes satisfaction in the thought that the money he donates makes someone else’s ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ experience better.

“It’s just something I can do. I almost want to ask people, why wouldn’t you want to contribute? The amount doesn’t matter – what matters is that you give. Forego a couple of cups of coffee each month and give $5 if that’s all you can do. At the end of the year you’ll have donated $60. It probably won’t make much difference to you, but that money will make a difference to someone else.”

Join John and support our students today.

Risk and Safety Services joins Security Services

trevor.kenney — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 22:20:05 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is pleased to announce the amalgamation of Risk and Safety Services and Security Services, effective immediately.

"Combining these two units will streamline operations, maximize efficiencies and enhance safety, risk management and security services for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ," says ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Vice-President (Finance and Administration) Nancy Walker. "The merger will facilitate a unified response to emergency incidents, as well as a more efficient and accurate events reporting system, among other synergies."

Risk and Safety Services and Security Services already collaborate on daily operational tasks, as well as numerous institutional projects, and by integrating the two departments, it is anticipated that there will be improvements in time management, organization of resources, and tactical management of safety and risk management programs aligned to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's strategic plan.

John O'Keeffe, director of Security Services, will now be leading the newly combined department. Anne Baxter continues as the director of Risk and Safety Services.

This integration was one of the recommendations made in a recent externally contracted campus safety and security audit.

The transition to consolidate the departments will not affect current services provided by either unit.

Look for further communications regarding this announcement in coming months as the implications of this amalgamation are explored.

Campus security under the microscope

trevor.kenney — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 21:59:03 +0000

Normally, they are the group watching over the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, 24 hours a day, in person and through more than 250 on-campus security cameras. However, beginning in mid-March, the campus security group is asking the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community to check in on them.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has commissioned external security consultants David Hyde and Associates to perform a campus security audit. The objective of the audit is to assess the current campus personal safety and security program and provide input to the future direction to be adopted by the Security Services department.

Security manager Bill Krysak, left and director John O’Keeffe, right, encourage everyone to take part in the campus security audit, Mar. 14-18.

"Our program is in place to ensure a safe and secure campus environment is maintained for all ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ stakeholders," says John O'Keeffe, the U of L's security director. "It is absolutely essential that the experiences and views of the people who learn, live, teach and work at the campus are taken into consideration."

O'Keefe says that since the last major audit was completed, the campus has changed significantly.

"While progress has been made in implementing a number of security measures, my team and I are looking forward to receiving the input and results from the independent group commissioned to conduct the audit to help with future planning."

The audit takes the form of online surveys, several town hall-style meetings and feedback opportunities through a secure website.

"We really want this audit to give us a solid direction, and to include as much information as possible from the campus community," adds O'Keefe.

There are two ways that ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ stakeholders can participate in the upcoming Campus Security Audit. The first is by completing a short survey located on the Security Services section of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ website (www.uleth.ca/security/).

The second way to participate is to attend an upcoming Town Hall Meeting hosted by the team of security specialists performing the audit.

"By participating in a Town Hall Meeting or in completing the survey, people can contribute to a more representative security audit and, most importantly, contribute to helping us provide a safe and secure campus," says O'Keefe.

The dates for the Town Hall Meeting representing each major stakeholder group are as follows:

AUPE: Monday, Mar. 14, noon to 1 p.m. (L1060, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Library)
Students: Tuesday, Mar. 15, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. (Students' Union Ballroom)
APO: Wednesday, Mar. 16, noon to 1 p.m. (L1060, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Library)
ULFA: Friday, Mar. 18, noon to 1 p.m. (L1060)

Campus security under the microscope

trevor.kenney — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 17:53:30 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has commissioned external security consultants David Hyde and Associates to perform a campus security audit. The objective of the audit is to assess the current campus personal safety and security program and provide input to the future direction to be adopted by the Security Services department.

"Our program is in place to ensure a safe and secure campus environment is maintained for all ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ stakeholders," says John O'Keeffe, the U of L's security director. "It is absolutely essential that the experiences and views of the people who learn, live, teach and work at the campus are taken into consideration."

O'Keefe says that since the last major audit was completed, the campus has changed significantly.

"While progress has been made in implementing a number of security measures, my team and I are looking forward to receiving the input and results from the independent group commissioned to conduct the audit to help with future planning."

The audit takes the form of online surveys, several town hall-style meetings and feedback opportunities through a secure website.

"We really want this audit to give us a solid direction, and to include as much information as possible from the campus community," adds O'Keefe.

There are two ways that ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ stakeholders can participate in the upcoming Campus Security Audit. The first is by completing a short survey located on the Security Services section of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ website (www.uleth.ca/security/).

The second way to participate is to attend an upcoming Town Hall Meeting hosted by the team of security specialists performing the audit.

"By participating in a Town Hall Meeting or in completing the survey, people can contribute to a more representative security audit and, most importantly, contribute to helping us provide a safe and secure campus," says O'Keefe.

The dates for the Town Hall Meeting representing each major stakeholder group are as follows:

AUPE: Monday, Mar. 14, noon to 1 p.m. (L1060, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Library)
Students: Tuesday, Mar. 15, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. (Students' Union Ballroom)
APO: Wednesday, Mar. 16, noon to 1 p.m. (L1060, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Library)
ULFA: Friday, Mar. 18, noon to 1 p.m. (L1060)

For a look at the March issue of the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Planning, inter-departmental work aids Fresh Fest

trevor.kenney — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 20:38:04 +0000

Getting students to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is one thing – helping them feel comfortable once they're here and setting them up to succeed is of even greater importance.

Fresh Fest is one initiative aimed at not only welcoming students to the U of L campus, but also introducing them to a ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ that cares about fostering a true student community. The 2010 edition of Fresh Fest proved to be the most successful week of welcome events thus far at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and credit can be given to the co-operative work of a number of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ units.

"Fresh Fest serves as a release from the stress of the first week of classes and allows our students, both new and returning, to become better acquainted with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ experience as well as opportunities to get involved with their community," says Taz Kassam, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students' Union (ULSU) president. "It is believed that the first six weeks of a student's university experience determines whether or not that student will stay at their university. By offering a week of welcome activities, such as Fresh Fest, we hope it helps in making that decision easier."

The Fresh Fest Organizing Committee, a group of nine individuals dedicated to presenting a great event, worked throughout the summer to ensure its success. The committee strived for improvements from previous years, including offering a diversity of high quality bands at the Fresh U Jamboree to entertain Freshies throughout the day.

"We took money that would have been spent on a headliner and spread that out so that we'd have good music playing all day," says Cole Lehto, Jamboree co-ordinator.

Fresh Fest organizers also co-ordinated with New Student Orientation this year, providing a Fresh Fest mail-out to students well in advance of the event. It ensured that all Fresh Fest Packages were sold out.

"A little more attention was paid to finding the right vendors for the event, making it more like a carnival," says Lehto.

A new location for Fresh U Jamboree, as well as close work with Campus Security and Risk and Safety Services, mitigated disturbances both at the event and in the broader Lethbridge community.

"The new green space, beside Markin Hall, controlled the sound from Fresh U Jamboree much better, allowing for fewer disturbances in the community," says Lehto. "It also created a cozy festival feel to the event."

After 61 official noise complaints were filed with Lethbridge Regional Police last year, there were none following the 2010 jamboree.

Fresh Fest organizers met with Director of Security Services and Parking, John O'Keeffe, as well as the Risk and Safety Services office throughout the planning process, working to ensure that noise concerns as well as problems with overindulgence would be mitigated.

Fresh Fest 2010 proved to be successful on a number of fronts, producing a sold-out event that earned rave reviews from students. A dedicated organizing committee deserves credit, as do a number of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ units that worked together to ensure a memorable experience.

Security Services beefs up its web presence

trevor.kenney — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 19:44:42 +0000

With the advent of a new semester, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Security Services is launching a new and improved website to better serve the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community.

The site, at www.uleth.ca/security, is designed with the user in mind, meaning it is much more interactive and informative than its previous version.

"Our previous website just did not provide the depth of information we need it to provide," says Director of Security and Parking Services, John O'Keeffe. "This is a much more interactive site that allows you to register for programs such as Safe Walk and Working Alone, while also giving you much more information about the services we offer."

The website is much easier to find than its predecessor and, for the first time, spells out just what people should do in the event of emergency situations that may arise on campus.

"We felt this was one of the most important aspects of the website," says O'Keeffe. "We've provided what amounts to a reference guide for a variety of emergencies, something that is easily accessible and allows people to turn to in a time of need. It's not always easy to think straight during times of crisis, and this is the first time people on campus have had something to refer to if an incident takes place."

The website also highlights two new partnerships entered into by Security Services, with Crime Stoppers and CarPool.ca, respectively. The Crime Stoppers initiative actually debuted in the spring and provides two-way communication concerning crimes and crime information that may affect the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and its community. It has proven to be very successful in enhancing the partnership the U of L has with the Lethbridge Regional Police Service and provides another layer of security on campus.

CarPool.ca is a green initiative that supports local carpooling, allowing students the opportunity to find carpool partners in their community.

"Many universities across the country have already partnered with CarPool.ca and it is a positive program on many fronts," says O'Keeffe. "It promotes the idea of less cars on the road, which helps the environment, and also lessens the stress and the costs for those who have to commute to campus."

In good hands with O'Keeffe

trevor.kenney — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:27:58 +0000

For many of us, the only interaction we have with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge security force is on the wrong end of a parking violation, when in fact Security and Parking is so much more. For John O'Keeffe, who has seen action in some of the world's most troubled regions, the ability to handle this political landmine comes from experience with the real thing.

"It's too bad that a lot of the good things we do get forgotten when we hand out a parking citation," O'Keeffe, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's new director of Security and Parking, says with a laugh.
"I would like to keep reminding people we are a community-based service, that's my big goal, for us not to be seen as just a parking service."

O'Keeffe comes to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ fresh out of the British military, where he served for 23 years. Stationed at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Suffield the last four years, he retired from active service to seek a permanent home in Canada.

He assumes the role left by Randy Joseph, and while heading up a military police detachment might not seem parallel to running a university security office, O'Keeffe says the two organizations are strikingly similar.

"There are many parts of this job and the university life that are very similar to military life," he explains. "Here, we are in a hierarchical structure with someone at the top who is the boss and there are different organizations below, all with their own responsibilities. The military is very much the same.
"Our deans and professors are in the officer ranks and the others are almost like the soldiers, working in the background making things happen."

A non-commissioned soldier, O'Keeffe joined the military as a 16-year old for what he expected would be a three-year term. It turned into a career that took him to every continent on the planet but Antarctica. His tours included highlight postings in Hong Kong, Kenya and Australia, as well as numerous stops in Europe. He also served on United Nations forces in locales such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo and Northern Ireland, eventually retiring on pre-selection to the position of Regimental Sergeant Major, the highest rank for a non-commissioned soldier.

"I've seen my fair share of good and bad," he says.

Reviewing the campus emergency response plan is a key priority for O'Keeffe, but just learning the unique terminology of the job, as well as introducing himself to the many units on campus has dominated his time.

"I still have to establish myself within the organization and get people to understand how I work," he says. "The biggest thing I've got to do is convince people that I'm not Randy and we have our different workings. We both strive toward the end result but we're going to probably do it different ways."

He admits his interview for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ posting was the first of his life and was not exactly sure how it should be approached. Walking away he felt good, and not just about his performance.

"I remember thinking it would be upsetting if I didn't get the job but more than anything, I'd be really disappointed if I didn't get to work with the people I'd met," he says.

GET THE FACTS

• O'Keeffe's wife Amanda is a paralegal and they own a two-year old German shepherd, Ben.

• He has been commuting to the U of L daily from Medicine Hat.

• O'Keeffe was born in Sheffield, a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Sheffield gained its reputation for its steel production in the 19th century.

• Stationed at CFB Suffield, O'Keeffe's military police looked over a base considered the largest in the Commonwealth at 2,962 square kilometers.

• O'Keeffe on staying in Canada upon retiring from the military, "If I was to tie it up into one thing it would be the quality of life. I think everybody has opportunity within Canada and that's the biggest plus for me."

UNews - John O'Keeffe

New Chief Safety & Risk Officer to start in early September

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