Friends and colleagues of newly appointed Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis have painted him as an experienced relationship-builder who has worked closely with university communities in the past, experience they say will help him partner effectively with the diverse college campuses in the Hub.

Although he has not made specific comments about campus safety, Davis said he would continue presenting ideas in the coming months. So far, he has pledged to increase “community policing,” enabling police officers to interact more frequently with Boston residents, a concept already in place at many colleges and universities.

Linda Silka, a University of Massachusetts-Lowell professor who directs the university’s Center for Family, Work and Community, called Davis “someone who very much understands the world of partnerships.”

Silka, who has been a professor for nearly 30 years, said in an email that she worked very closely with Davis on several community issues.

“I imagine that there will be many opportunities for students and faculty to work with the Boston Police Department under his leadership,” she said.

Silka said Davis is an innovator who often drew upon the university’s resources for guidance in implementing projects. He involved the Center for Family, Work and Community in his work on gang prevention and community policing.

Boston University Police Chief Tom Robbins, formerly the superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, said he has “a great relationship” with Davis, whom he has known for many years.

Likewise, Robbins said, the relationship between the BUPD and the Boston Police is very strong. In some cases when crimes occur on or near BU’s campus, the BUPD and Boston Police work together on investigations.

Robbins said he is confident the two departments will continue to build their relationship as Davis takes over, especially because of Davis’s emphasis on fostering community.

The Boston Police Department could not be reached for comment.

UMass-Lowell Police Chief Brian Pray said Davis was a strong relationship-builder as head of the Lowell Police Department.

“He was very supportive and generous with resources,” Pray said.

Pray said Davis understands the relationship between campus and city police, which will serve him well in Boston, a city with an unusually high concentration of colleges.

Davis has said reducing violent crime in Boston is his main goal, noting that crime in Lowell dropped by 60 percent during his tenure.

Fitting for a city full of undergraduates, Davis has agreed to stay in Boston for at least four years. Davis, who comes from a family of police officers, joined the Lowell police in 1978 and became chief in 1994.