Durham, N.C. — John H. Dailey, a Durham native who began his law enforcement career at Duke University, will return to Duke as the university;s police chief on April 1.

Dailey, 44, succeeds Robert H. Dean, who retired last year.

“John has a strong affinity for Duke and a good understanding of Duke and our police department,” Kemel Dawkins, vice president for campus services, said in a statement. “The search committee was impressed by his commitment, credentials and energy, and believes he will be an asset for the Duke community.”

Dailey has served as assistant police chief at North Carolina State University since 2001. He worked at Duke from 1993 to 2001, working his way up the ranks from police officer/sergeant to lieutenant and police team leader, then captain for administrative services.

When he was first at Duke, he established a strong relationship with students, developing an alcohol education program designed to teach students about impairment and the relationship between alcohol and behavioral choices, officials said.

“He really cares a tremendous amount about Duke,” said Jordan Giordano, the Duke Student Government executive vice president who served on the search committee. “He has a good understanding of the needs of Duke students and the Duke community. Duke is a very unique place and Durham is unique, so it’s important that the police chief have experience with both, and he already does.”

Dailey also has sought ways to enhance the professionalism within the Duke police department, including encouraging customer service. He won the Commitment to Excellence Award from the North Carolina Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators in 1998.

“I am honored to be part of this great institution and look forward to working with the talented members of the Duke police department,” Dailey said.

He has a bachelor’s degree in business from Wake Forest University and a master’s degree in public administration from N.C. State. He also spent six years in the Army.