Eric L. Holmes serves as the chief of police and director of public safety for Duquesne University.

In the public safety, risk management, and higher education sectors Chief Holmes is known as a person able to build relationships and establish partnerships and alliances. Chief Holmes is committed to shaping the future of law enforcement.

Chief Holmes has vast knowledge in special events planning and homeland security-related topics. Chief Holmes lead the G-20 Liaison Unit in preparation for the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania G-20 Summit.

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. 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 including Command Institute for Police Executives; FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Leadership Program; International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), Leadership in Police Organizations; United States Secret Service Law Enforcement Executive Seminar; and Police Executive Research Forum, Senior Management Institute for Police, Session #77.

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 University Active Bystandership in Law Enforcement (ABLE) program.

Chief Holmes serves and has served on several committees including the FBI Civil Rights Committee Working Group (Pittsburgh), the City of Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations, Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA) Intel Commanders Committee, Allegheny County Committee to Study Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice System, and the Allegheny County Bar Association Use of Force Advisory Board.

Chief Holmes belongs to several professional and volunteer organizations (past and present) including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Pittsburgh Regional Champions, Leadership Pittsburgh LDI XVIII, Robert Morris University and Slippery Rock University Criminal Justice Advisory Committees, and Amachi Pittsburgh 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 2005, Chief Holmes received the Slippery Rock University Pacesetters Award. In 2013, Chief Holmes was named 1 of 50 men of Excellence by New Pittsburgh Courier. In June 2008, the Eric L. Holmes Criminal Justice Scholarship was established at Slippery Rock University.

Chief Holmes’ journey has provided him with an uncommon breadth of law enforcement experience, giving him a unique perspective and passion for advancing 21^st-century policing.