Chief of Police

Job Description:

Chief of Police

Description

Public Safety

Administrator III

Responsibilities and Duties:

Provides leadership and executive management oversight for the University Police Department, including planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating department operations and services. Responsible for ensuring the Department provides effective, professional, community-oriented, and 24-hour law enforcement and public safety services that are responsive to the needs of a diverse university community.

Responsible for the short- and long-term planning of the Department, including development and implementation of department goals, objectives, policies, procedures, staffing plans, training priorities, budget priorities, and service delivery standards. Provides leadership that supports public safety, prevention, preparedness, accountability, transparency, community trust, and effective working relationships with students, faculty, staff, campus leadership, local agencies, and the surrounding community.

Responsible for the management, supervision, planning, and direction of sworn and civilian department personnel. Oversees recruitment, hiring, training, performance evaluation, professional development, discipline, labor relations, and personnel matters in coordination with Human Resources, campus legal counsel, and other appropriate University officials. Directs or oversees serious crime investigations, administrative investigations, internal affairs matters, and other sensitive personnel or operational issues.

General Law Enforcement and Crime Prevention:

Directs and oversees law enforcement services at all CSU Channel Islands and University Glen residential locations, including uniform patrol, crime prevention, criminal investigations, emergency response, apprehension of offenders, enforcement of applicable federal and state laws, enforcement of CSU and University rules and regulations, and coordination with criminal justice partners.

Ensures appropriate response to routine and emergency calls for service, reports of criminal or suspicious activity, public safety concerns, campus events, demonstrations, protests, and other incidents affecting the safety and security of the campus community. Oversees event security, crowd management, traffic control, public safety planning, and law enforcement support for University activities.

Provides leadership for crime prevention, public safety education, violence prevention, active threat preparedness, workplace violence prevention, sexual assault prevention support, alcohol and drug abuse prevention efforts, and other safety programs responsive to the needs of the campus community.

Serves on, or designates appropriate department representation to, behavioral intervention, threat assessment, multidisciplinary, and campus safety teams. Works collaboratively with Student Affairs, Housing, Title IX, Counseling and Psychological Services, Human Resources, Academic Affairs, and other campus partners to support early intervention, threat management, trauma-informed response, and student-centered public safety practices.

Clery Act Compliance and Campus Safety Reporting

Provides executive oversight and support for the University’s compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, in coordination with the designated campus Clery Director/Coordinator and other responsible University officials. Ensures the University Police Department supports accurate crime classification, crime statistics collection, daily crime log maintenance, timely warnings, emergency notifications, Campus Security Authority reporting, and required campus safety disclosures.

Ensures department records, reports, dispatch information, crime logs, and law enforcement activities are maintained and reviewed in a manner that supports Clery Act compliance, Annual Security Report preparation, and required campus safety disclosures. Works collaboratively with Student Affairs, Title IX, Housing, Human Resources, Emergency Management, University Communications, and other campus partners to support timely and accurate reporting, notification, training, and documentation.

Police Communications and 9-1-1 PSAP

Provides executive oversight for the University Police Department’s 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Point, including emergency and non-emergency call handling, dispatch operations, two-way radio, communications records, communications technology, staffing, training, service delivery standards, and applicable compliance requirements.

Responsible for the administration and oversight of dispatch and two-way radio/communication service agreements with external public safety partners, including dispatching services provided to the Ventura County Community College District Police Department.

Emergency Management and Business Continuity

Serves as the campus Emergency Manager and is responsible for maintaining compliance with CSU Executive Order 1056, the CSU systemwide emergency management program. Oversees campus emergency planning, preparedness, training, response coordination, emergency exercises, Emergency Operations Center readiness, and maintenance of the Campus Emergency Operations Plan.

Serves as a member of the Executive Council during emergencies and may function as Director of the Emergency Operations Center when the EOC is activated by the President or designee. Coordinates with campus leaders, local emergency managers, fire services, law enforcement agencies, public health officials, and other emergency response partners regarding incidents that may affect the health, safety, security, or continuity of University operations.

Administers the campus Business Continuity Program in accordance with CSU Executive Order 1014. Responsible for coordinating department-level continuity plans, plan updates, continuity exercises, and efforts to ensure the University can continue or restore essential functions following a significant disruption.

California Campus Safety Act / Local Law Enforcement Agreement

Responsible for maintaining compliance with the Kristin Smart Campus Safety Act, California Education Code § 67381. Ensures the University maintains a current written agreement with the appropriate local law enforcement agency, currently the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, identifying operational responsibility for the investigation of specified crimes occurring on campus.

Ensures the agreement addresses responsibility for Part 1 violent crimes, sexual assaults, hate crimes, and other designated serious incidents; clarifies geographical boundaries of responsibility; and is reviewed, updated, and made available as required.

Records Administration, Confidentiality, and CJIS Compliance

Oversees the administration, security, retention, confidentiality, and lawful release of University Police Department records, including police reports, criminal justice records, confidential law enforcement records, records unit operations, and communications-related records.

Responsible for ensuring appropriate access, maintenance, security, training, audit readiness, and compliance with Criminal Justice Information Services/CJIS requirements and other applicable federal, state, CSU, and departmental policies governing criminal justice information.

Property, Evidence, and Lost and Found:

Provides executive oversight for the Department’s property and evidence functions, including receipt, documentation, classification, security, storage, preservation, release, transfer, disposal, and audit of evidentiary property, found property, safekeeping property, and other items held by the Department.

Ensures evidence and property are managed in accordance with applicable law, CSU policy, department policy, accreditation standards, and accepted law enforcement evidence-control practices.

Transportation and Parking Services:

Directs, administers, and coordinates Transportation and Parking Services to support safe, efficient, and effective campus access, parking, and transportation operations. Provides strategic leadership for service delivery, planning, scheduling, financial management, employee relations, labor relations, communications, public relations, transit routing, facility needs, parking permit requirements, fee structures, capital requirements, and long-term parking and transportation planning.

Works collaboratively with local government and transportation officials regarding service linkages between area transit operations and University operations. Oversees proposed operating and capital budgets related to parking and transportation services and makes recommendations for improvement.

Fire/Life Safety and Evacuation Coordination:

Ensures appropriate coordination with Facilities Services, Environmental Health and Safety, the Ventura County Fire Department, and other campus or local partners regarding fire/life safety issues, alarm monitoring, evacuation procedures, emergency notifications, and campus evacuation planning.

Coordinates or supports training and exercises related to building evacuations, campus evacuation procedures, fire/life safety response, and other emergency preparedness activities affecting University buildings, grounds, and adjacent campus-related residential areas.

Fiscal and Administrative Management:

Responsible for the development, administration, monitoring, and control of the department’s annual budget, including analysis of departmental plans, staffing, equipment, technology, training, capital needs, contracts, service agreements, and other resources necessary to support department operations and University priorities.

Provides support to University leadership, Human Resources, legal counsel, and other campus officials in matters related to risk management, civil liability, labor relations, sensitive personnel issues, public safety planning, and department administration.

Accreditation, Policy, and Compliance:

Responsible for maintaining department accreditation through the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA). Ensures department policies, procedures, training, records, operations, and accountability systems are maintained in accordance with applicable accreditation standards, law, CSU policy, University expectations, and contemporary campus law enforcement practices.

Formulates, reviews, and updates department policies and procedures; monitors implementation; and ensures appropriate systems are in place to support legal compliance, professional standards, operational readiness, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Media, Community Relations, and Campus Partnerships:

Serves as the Department’s primary spokesperson to news media and external organizations regarding University Police Department issues and activities, in coordination with University Communications and the Office of the President.

Establishes and maintains effective relationships with students, faculty, staff, campus leadership, local residents, law enforcement partners, emergency response agencies, and community stakeholders. Demonstrates excellent communication skills and serves as a visible, accessible, and collaborative campus leader.

Works closely with Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Affairs, Housing, Title IX, Human Resources, Disability Accommodations and Support Services, and other campus partners to ensure police response to mental health crises, student welfare concerns, interpersonal violence, and other sensitive matters is trauma-informed, appropriate, and consistent with contemporary best practices.

Campus Safety Committees and Advisory Groups:

Ensures the University Police Department maintains an active and constructive role in campus safety committees, police advisory committees, behavioral intervention or threat assessment processes, emergency management committees, and other campus or community groups related to safety, security, preparedness, community trust, and public accountability.

Environmental Health and Safety Coordination:

Works in partnership with the Director of Environmental Health and Safety and other campus leaders to coordinate safety-related planning, prevention, emergency preparedness, training, compliance, and response activities where University Police Department operations intersect with environmental health, occupational safety, fire/life safety, hazardous materials, or campus risk management.

Performs additional related duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS OF POSITION:

Education:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in criminal justice, public administration, emergency management, organizational leadership, or a closely related field is required. A master’s degree is highly preferred.

Additional qualifying executive, command, or senior management law enforcement experience may be considered as a substitute for the education requirement, consistent with University policy.

Experience:

At least eight years of progressively responsible law enforcement experience, including significant supervisory, management, or command-level experience, is required.

Experience serving in a senior leadership role within a law enforcement agency is strongly preferred. Experience as a chief, assistant chief, captain, commander, lieutenant, or equivalent senior police manager is highly desirable.

Law enforcement experience in a higher education, university, college, or campus-based public safety environment is strongly preferred.

Demonstrate experience or working knowledge in the following areas:

• Leadership and management of sworn and civilian personnel;
• Patrol operations, investigations, crime prevention, and community-oriented policing;
• Administrative investigations, internal affairs, discipline, and personnel matters;
• Labor relations, risk management, and coordination with human resources and legal counsel;
• Budget development, fiscal administration, contracts, and resource planning;
• Emergency management, EOC operations, ICS/NIMS, and campus preparedness;
• Business continuity planning and continuity of operations;
• Clery Act compliance and campus safety reporting;
• Behavioral intervention, threat assessment, or multidisciplinary team participation;
• Police communications, dispatch operations, or 9-1-1 PSAP oversight;
• CJIS access, records management, evidence/property control, and law enforcement information security;
• Transportation and parking operations;
• Law enforcement accreditation, particularly IACLEA accreditation.

POST Certification / Peace Officer Requirements:

Possession of a current California POST Basic Certificate, or the ability to obtain the certificate within one year of employment is required.

Possession of a valid California Driver’s License is required or must be obtained within the timeframe established by the University.

Must meet all applicable California POST and CSU requirements for appointment and continued service as a peace officer.

Possession of, or eligibility to obtain, a California POST Management Certificate, or the POST Executive Certificate for candidates with prior agency head or executive-level law enforcement experience, is highly preferred. Completion of the POST Command College, the FBI National Academy, or a similar executive development offering is highly preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Preferred qualifications include:
• Master’s degree in criminal justice, public administration, leadership, emergency management, higher education administration, or a related field;
• Senior command or executive-level law enforcement experience;
• Law enforcement leadership experience in a university or college environment;
• Experience with the Jeanne Clery Act and campus safety reporting requirements;
• Experience with emergency management, business continuity, EOC operations, and ICS/NIMS principles;
• Experience participating in or leading behavioral intervention, threat assessment, or multidisciplinary teams;
• Experience managing or supporting a 9-1-1 PSAP or police communications function;
• Experience with CJIS compliance, police records, and law enforcement information systems;
• Experience with evidentiary property, found property, audits, and evidence-control standards;
• Experience with parking and transportation operations;
• Experience leading, managing, or supporting law enforcement accreditation, with IACLEA accreditation experience strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated executive leadership, sound judgment, integrity, and the ability to lead a professional university police department in a complex campus environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare policies, procedures, reports, professional correspondence, public-facing communications, and executive-level briefings.
• Ability to interpret, apply, and explain federal and state laws, CSU policy, University policy, law enforcement standards, labor agreements, and department procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of contemporary law enforcement practices, criminal investigations, community policing, crime prevention, emergency response, use of force, internal affairs, records management, evidence control, and sound police management practices.
• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential matters with discretion, professionalism, and good judgment.
• Ability to build trust and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, faculty, staff, University leadership, local law enforcement agencies, public safety partners, community members, and other constituencies.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse individuals and groups and to support a campus environment that values diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, accountability, and respect.
• Ability to assess law enforcement, public safety, emergency management, personnel, and administrative issues and determine appropriate courses of action while remaining calm, objective, professional, and responsive.
• Ability to use technology and standard office software, including Microsoft Office, records systems, communications systems, and other public safety-related technology.
• Must be organized, flexible, and able to manage multiple priorities, projects, and responsibilities in a dynamic university setting.
• Must be responsive to after-hours calls and available to respond to significant incidents, emergencies, or other matters requiring the Chief’s attention.

Conditions of Employment / Compliance Requirement

• A background check, including a criminal records check, must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered the position. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.
• The person holding this position is designated as a Campus Security Authority under the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act and is required to report Clery Act crimes to the designated campus authority.
• The person holding this position is designated as a mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
• This position may be "Designated" under California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. This would require the filing of a Statement of Economic Interest on an annual basis and the completion of training within 6 months of assuming office and every 2 years thereafter.

Must comply with all applicable CSU, University, POST, and department training, certification, reporting, ethical, and professional standards applicable to the Chief of Police position.

Please note: California State University, Channel Islands (CSUCI) is not currently sponsoring staff or management positions for H-1B employment visas. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States.

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Application Period

The position is open until filled but only applications received by September 14, 2026, can be assured full consideration. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

In order to be considered in the initial review, applications must be submitted prior to the date listed above. Application submissions received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.

Hiring Range: $15,000 - $16,667 per month

Advertised: Aug 03 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: