Durham, N.C. - Robert H. "Bob" Dean has been named Director of the Duke University Police Department, university officials announced Tuesday.

Dean, who served the Duke community for 41 years before retiring and returning last year as interim director, will lead the department's day-to-day operations and report to Aaron Graves, vice president for campus safety and security.

"Bob Dean has been and will continue to be a key asset to this department and the Duke community," Graves said. "He has a proven track record of leadership and the right skills to help me in the development and implementation of leading-edge law enforcement and security practices to make DukeUniversity the safest campus in the nation."

Dean's appointment comes after he served seven months as interim director while the university conducted a national search for associate vice president for campus safety and security. Graves started work Jan. 9.

"I'm extremely honored and excited to be a part of this team as we continue to improve the department and enhance our level of service to the Duke community," Dean said.

At Duke, Dean rose through the ranks from police officer in 1973 to major before his retirement in 2003. His key roles included commander of criminal investigations and manager of community affairs and public information. In that latter position, he was a liaison to the university's minority community and maintained dialogue between police and students. He returned in July as interim director when then Duke police chief Clarence Birkhead announced he had accepted the position of police chief in Hillsborough.

Dean has remained active in public safety and the community by serving as chairman of Durham CrimeStoppers. He is married, lives in Durham and has four children.