Heroes of CentralSquare: Chief Cameron Wassman

Twenty-five years is a long time to serve the same community. Long enough to build things from scratch, earn real trust, and – when the chief position opened – have every officer in the department in his corner.  

Nominate a Hero exists to recognize people like that. We’ve now spotlighted honorees across multiple rounds of the program, and what stands out in every story is the same thing: impact that accumulates over time. Chief Cameron Wassman, one of our first-round honorees, is a clear example of that.  

He’s the Chief of Police at Central Michigan University Police Department. Here’s his story.  

About Chief Wassman  

Cameron Wassman has spent more than 25 years at Central Michigan University Police Department – as a road patrol officer, detective, sergeant, lieutenant, and now Chief. Each role added something to the next, and by the time the chief position opened, his colleagues weren’t just supportive of his candidacy. According to the person who nominated him, there wasn’t a single officer who didn’t have his back.  

That kind of unanimous support comes from a track record. As a lieutenant, Wassman managed the department’s dispatch team and built an actual PSAP 911 Center at the university – giving dispatchers the tools, respect, and room to grow that the work demands. He also took on Clery Compliance for the university, a role many institutions staff with multiple people and department liaisons. He handled it alongside dispatch management, IT equipment oversight, and emergency management responsibilities.  

That last piece – emergency management – is worth pausing on. For years, Wassman led CMU’s Emergency Management team and worked directly with the surrounding community’s EM team, coordinating with outside partners at a level that most people within the university administration weren’t even aware of. The work happened, the community was safer for it, and very few people knew who to thank.  

What the nominator keeps coming back to isn’t the breadth of his responsibilities or the programs he built. It’s the way he treats people. No matter how full his plate is, when his door is open, it’s actually open. “That kindness really makes more of a difference in someone’s world,” shared the person who nominated him, “and we need more of that.”  

Q&A with Chief Wassman  

What inspires you to be Hero-Grade?  

“I am inspired and motivated when our department continues to evolve. Public safety is much more than just the front-facing aspects everyone sees. So many things happen behind the scenes that allow us to protect, educate, and prepare our university community.”  

What are you most proud of in your impact on the public sector?  

“I am proud of how I have been able to make our operations more efficient and effective through the use of technology, including software products from CentralSquare. Being progressive and forward-thinking makes a big difference.”  

How do you stay motivated to be Hero-Grade during difficult situations?  

“It is important to realize that not every project is immediately successful. There will be bumps along the road, and it is important to focus on the outcomes you want. When times get tough, take a step back and look at your options. Most importantly, don’t give up!”  

How has teamwork impacted your role?  

“Teamwork plays a role in so many things, each and every day. No one person knows it all or can do it all. Every large project I have led involves knowledge and actions of others. This includes those inside and outside of our agency.”  

What advice would you give to others who strive to make a meaningful impact in public service?  

“Be persistent but pick your battles. Sometimes the outcome may not be worth the fight. Also realize that you will not always make everyone happy. Especially in law enforcement, it is important to weigh your options and pick the path that does the greatest good.”  

Looking ahead, how do you hope to continue serving your community?  

“I have been in this profession, and in this department for over 25 years. I want to continue making a positive difference to the university community and prepare future leaders in my department to eventually take my place.”  

Know Someone Who Deserves a Spotlight?  

Chief Wassman’s story is a reminder that Hero-Grade work rarely announces itself. It accumulates – in the programs built, the people developed, the problems solved before they become crises. The nomination that brought his story to us captured something his own résumé wouldn’t: the way he makes people feel like they matter, every time they walk through his door.  

That’s exactly the kind of story Nominate a Hero was built to surface. If someone in your organization is doing work worth recognizing, tell us about them. Submit a nomination and help us keep shining a light on the people who keep public safety moving.