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Saginaw Valley State University, a Great Colleges to Work For recipient, invites applications for the position of Chief of University Police.
The Chief of University Police provides leadership for Saginaw Valley State University’s team of licensed police officers in providing safety, security, and protection for the entire campus community. The Chief directs, manages, and implements a comprehensive crime prevention, complaint investigation, emergency response, law enforcement, and parking services program; and ensures compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations while emphasizing a community policing philosophy to enhance public safety within the University community.
Responsibilities:
- Provides vision, leadership, and direction for the department ensuring that all operations, practices, and objectives are aligned with and support the University's Mission.
- Maintains current knowledge of laws and ordinances pertaining to public safety on campus and regularly reviews, plans, and updates as needed Police Department policies and procedures for crime prevention, law enforcement, and safety and security services including public safety and security, housing and campus security operations.
- Leads and oversees all efforts related to achieving and maintaining State accreditation, ensuring continuous compliance with established standards and promoting organizational excellence and accountability. Develops and implements both short and long-range strategic plans for the University Police & Parking Services Department, emphasizing community policing principles.
- Leads the planning and development of comprehensive goals and objectives for university-wide law enforcement operations.
- Develops, implements, and administers the department’s operating budget, ensuring the strategic allocation of resources to support facilities, equipment, systems, personnel, and overall operational needs of the department.
- Promotes and upholds accountability, transparency, and commitment to service excellence within the department.
- Leads and oversees the recruitment, selection, and retention of police officers, implementing strategies to attract, hire, and retain highly qualified personnel while promoting diversity, professionalism, and organizational excellence.
- Oversees employee performance evaluation, coaching, and disciplinary processes to ensure accountability, professional development, and adherence to departmental standards.
- Provides oversight and coordination of the Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report in compliance with the Clery Act of 1990, ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and integrity of data and information contributed by campus partners and stakeholders.
- Maintains positive working relationships with members of the University community and attends University functions and activities.
- Serves as a representative on University committees, including the CARE Team, Behavioral Threat Assessment Team, Title IX committee, CLERY compliance committee, and co-chairs the Crisis Management Executive Group.
- Oversees the review and approval of police reports and related documentation for external and internal purposes, and performs these duties as needed.
- Acts as a department representative for designated external law enforcement and community groups.
- Directs the development and maintenance of record systems and legal documents that provide for the proper evaluation, control, compliance with State and Federal requirements, and documentation of the Police Department operations.
- Responsible for the development and delivery of training for faculty, staff, and students on safety awareness and emergency procedures.
- Responsible for timely communications to the campus community on matters related to safety and security; including Clery Act required timely warnings and emergency notifications.
- Directs and participates as needed with investigations, crime prevention, community relations, special events, and security functions. May be required to perform any or all police officer duties, including detection, apprehension, and resolution of criminal activity.
- Ensures the delivery of ongoing professional training and development for all staff, demonstrating a strong commitment to continuous learning and staff development.
- Maintains active membership and engagement in local, state, and national law enforcement associations (e.g., Police Chiefs Association of Saginaw County, CMACP, MACLEA, MACP, IACP, IACLEA).
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervision Received:
- The Chief of University Police reports to the Vice President for Legal Affairs.
Supervision Exercised:
- Exercises supervision and direction for all University Police department employees, including police officers and supervisors, police clerks, and other support staff.
Qualifications:
Minimum:
- Bachelor's Degree.
- Must be licensed by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards prior to commencement of employment.
- Twelve (12) years of law enforcement experience as a licensed police officer.
- Progressively responsible experience in leadership, supervision, and/or administration.
- Demonstrates excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communications skills with the ability to effectively convey information and project a positive and professional image.
- Demonstrated experience building successful partnerships with community stakeholders.
- Proven record of practicing community policing principles and fostering strong problem-solving partnerships.
- Possession of a valid Michigan driver's license or the ability to obtain one upon appointment.
- Possession of the physical capabilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.
- Experience and ability to positively interact with all members of the campus community.
- Demonstrates proficiency in personal computer applications and systems necessary to support departmental operations, reporting, and communication.
- Exhibits an outstanding professional reputation and consistently demonstrates the highest level of honesty, integrity, and ethical leadership.
- Has the ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodations.
Preferred:
- Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Higher Education Administration, or a closely related field.
- Five (5) years of law enforcement command experience.
- Police department service at a higher education institution.
- Experience with collective bargaining and labor relations.
- Experience with and trained in incident and threat assessment techniques.
- Knowledge of the Clery Act requirements.
- Knowledge of and experience working with Title IX, Behavioral Threat Assessment Teams, CARE Teams and other multidisciplinary response models.
- Graduate of an advanced police command training program (e.g., FBI National Academy, Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, Southern Police Institute) or completion of equivalent state-level training.
