Eric L. Holmes, serves as the Chief of Police and Assistant Vice President for Safety for Duquesne University.

Chief Holmes earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Slippery Rock University. Chief Holmes received his Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Point Park University. Chief Holmes is a graduate of the Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business Executive Leadership Program. Chief Holmes served 25 years with the Pittsburgh Police retiring as the Chief of Staff prior to joining Duquesne University. In 2022, Chief Holmes graduated from the Naval Post Graduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security Executive Leaders Program.

Chief Holmes has considerable executive level training to include Command Institute for Police Executives, FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Leadership Program, IACP, Leadership in Police Organizations, United States Secret Service Law Enforcement Executive Seminar, Police Executive Research Forum, Senior Management Institute for Police, Session #77, and the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, Executive Development Institute.
Chief Holmes believes in the principles of Procedural Justice and is a certified Principled Policing instructor. Chief Holmes is also a national instructor for the Georgetown Law School’s Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE) Project.

Chief Holmes has presented professional presentations and speeches and authored numerous articles for IACLEA.

Chief Holmes belongs to a number of professional and volunteer organizations (past and present) to include Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Pittsburgh Regional Champions, Leadership Pittsburgh LDI XVIII, Robert Morris University and Slippery Rock University Criminal Justice Advisory Committees, and PAAR Board of Directors. Chief Holmes served as President of the Slippery Rock University Alumni Association and is on the Slippery Rock University Council of Trustees.

In June of 2008, the Eric L. Holmes Criminal Justice Scholarship was established at Slippery Rock University. Chief Holmes’ journey has provided him with an uncommon breath of law enforcement experience, giving him a unique perspective and passion for advancing 21st century policing.