Holland Selected to Succeed Retiring UWPD Chief Samp

A veteran member of the University of Wyoming Police Department, who has served as a sergeant for the past four years, has been named chief of the UWPD.

Josh Holland takes the reins from Mike Samp, who is retiring after 26 years with the UWPD -- the last 11 as chief. Holland begins his new duties June 1.

“We truly appreciate the work of Chief Samp, who has provided outstanding leadership for the university’s police force and made many other contributions during his time at UW,” says Bill Mai, UW’s vice president for campus operations. “We’re confident that Chief Holland will continue and build upon the strong foundation that Chief Samp has led in establishing.”

Holland began his career with the UWPD in 2012 as an officer, then became a sergeant in 2019. He also has been a member of the Special Response Team with the Laramie Police Department since 2018 and is now an assistant leader of that team.

He received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from UW in 2012; graduated from the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy that same year; and earned a certificate from the FBI’s Rocky Mountain Command College in 2020.

In his new post, Holland will supervise the UWPD’s staff of 14 sworn officers; five dispatchers; five security guards; and an office manager.