Updated: Barbara O'Connor Sworn in as UConn's First Female Chief of Police

The has a new chief of police.

was formally installed as the university’s first female chief of police and director of public safety at a ceremony held Friday at UConn’s Public Safety Complex.

“Her reputation is excellent and we’re lucky to have her here at the University of Connecticut,” UConn President Susan Herbst said.

After taking the oath of office, O’Connor pledged to lead the university's police department “with a spirit of service, justice and fairness.”

“I want you all to hold me to that,” O’Connor said.

Before coming to UConn, O’Connor served as police chief at the University of Illinois, and was formerly the head of public safety at UMass-Amherst.

She succeeds former Associate Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Robert Hudd.

Hudd has retired after more than three decades with the university.

"I could not pick a better person to replace me as I see it," Hudd said.

This is the first time in the school's history that a woman has been chosen to lead the university's police headquarters.

“I’m excited,” Town Manager Matthew Hart said following the ceremony. Hart, who was part of the university’s search committee, said O’Connor was the committee’s “number one choice.”

“Talking with her, she understands that the university is part of a larger community. She understands that for all of us to be successful, we have to work as a team,” Hart said.

“Hudd realized the same,” he said. “We’re very glad to have her here."

O’Connor's annual salary is $164,700, according to UConn officials.