BLACKSBURG, Va. - Recent changes at Virginia Tech are restructuring public safety to keep students safe. After five years serving as Virginia Tech's top cop, Kevin Foust is moving on, but he didnt go far. Foust is still deeply involved at Virginia Tech, now heading up a newly created division focused on safety. Public safety changes are now bringing the police department, emergency management, environmental health and safety and the rescue squad all under the same organization. These public safety changes now also mean it will be easier for the police department to get needed equipment and hire officers more quickly, as the university continues growing.

BLACKSBURG, Va. - Virginia tech has a new top cop with a familiar face. William "Mac" Babb was officially pinned as the new police chief and director of security last week. Hes served as deputy chief of police at Virginia Tech since 2015 and spent 25 years with Roanoke city police before that. "Moving forward, we certainly want to maintain a level of safety and security on campus, make sure people feel safe and secure. Former Virginia Tech police chief Kevin Foust is leaving the department to take on a new role as associate vice president of campus safety and security.

BLACKSBURG, Va. - The chief of police at Virginia Tech announced on social media that he is leaving the force. Chief Kevin Foust made the announcement Monday after 36 years in law enforcement and eight at Virginia Tech. While he is leaving the Virginia Tech Police Department, he is not leaving Virginia Tech -- he will take on the role of associate vice president of campus safety and security. As part of his new role, Foust will oversee the Police Department and the Environmental Health and Safety, as well as the Office of Emergency Management. Below is his full statement:Copyright 2019 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.

BLACKSBURG, Va. - Virginia Tech Police got an opportunity on Monday to learn about policing from the other side of the world. Members of the department discussed threat assessment strategies and best practices with a representative from the police department at Monash University in Australia. "We want to continue to evolve this threat assessment process. We want to continue to be fluid and nimble and mobile and continue to change as our community changes," Virginia Tech Police Chief Kevin Foust said. Foust said having outside agencies reach out makes him feel good because that means the department is setting an example for others.