Our Leadership

Meet Dr. Bard

Dr. Branville G. Bard, Jr. serves as the Vice President for Public Safety for all Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Medicine campuses and facilities worldwide, except for the Applied Physics Laboratory. In April 2023, Dr. Bard was also appointed as the inaugural Chief of Police for the Johns Hopkins Police Department (JHPD). 

Dr. Bard joined Johns Hopkins with over 28 years of distinguished experience in law enforcement and public safety. He is recognized for his reform-oriented approach and is deeply committed to the principles of procedural and social justice. Dr. Bard believes it is possible to keep communities safe from crime while also protecting the civil rights of community members. Most recently, he served as the police commissioner for the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts. He began his career with the Philadelphia Police Department, where he dedicated over two decades of service before retiring as a police inspector. Following his retirement, Dr. Bard assumed the role of chief of police and director of public safety for the Philadelphia Housing Authority, further underscoring his dedication to creating safe and equitable communities. 

As a dedicated law enforcement leader, Dr. Bard has successfully driven transformative change in two agencies. His career is marked by exceptional leadership and an impressive ability to cultivate strong relationships with residential, business, and religious communities. These vital connections have forged powerful partnerships that effectively reduce crime and address pressing quality-of-life issues, all while significantly enhancing community engagement with the police. Dr. Bard’s commitment to collaboration illustrates his profound impact on community safety and trust.