DeKALB | The winds of change are blowing at the University Police department.

On Nov. 22, Lt. Darren Mitchell officially replaced Lt. Matthew Kiederlen as the interim police chief of the UP, as Chief Donald Grady has been serving in Iraq since October.

Mitchell will hold his current position until Jan. 22, when Lt. Curtis Young takes the position. The lieutenants will continue to rotate until Grady returns next fall.

“There are three lieutenants here, and one of us is the lead lieutenant,” Kiederlen said. “The way we tried to work is that we would talk things through, and then put out that one decision.”

Despite being on opposite ends of the earth, Grady and his lieutenants communicate daily.

“Each day we have had contact, either through the phone or through e-mail, with Chief Grady,” Kiederlen said. “We discuss the decisions that he wants to be made, or how he wants things to be handled. He’s still the chief.”

During his tenure as interim chief, which commenced when Grady deployed for Iraq in early October, Kiederlen, who continued with his lieutenant duties while acting as the chief, did not notice much of a change in his daily routine.

“Other than being busier, there was not much of a change,” he said.

Grady’s guiding example helped prepare him for the role, Kiederlen said.

“Chief Grady’s prime task is that he trains us to replace him,” he said. “In the event that he leaves or retires, one of us can step up into that role. We are expected to be able to handle it.”

Though Chief Grady could not be directly contacted, Kiederlen said he is doing well overseas, but also is anxious to return.

“He feels he’s making a difference,” Kiederlen said. “He’s excited by the challenge, but he’s also ready to come back.”

Lt. Mitchell expects the change to be successful.

“When you are the acting chief, you are responsible for all of the Department of Public Safety, and the administration of the department,” Mitchell said. “Because of the relationship and communication I have with my fellow administrators, I think it will be a smooth transition.”

Despite the increased work load, Mitchell is excited about the opportunity.

“When you’re the head of an organization, it’s challenging,” Mitchell said. “But I’m looking forward to it.”