Assistant Vice President and Chief of Police

Position Overview:

The Assistant Vice President and Chief of Police (AVP/COP) is responsible for providing high quality, comprehensive public safety services for the University of Minnesota. This position reports to the Executive Vice President for Finance and Operations and leads the University of Minnesota Department of Public Safety, which includes the Police Department (UMPD) and University Security on the Twin Cities campus and the Public Safety Emergency Communications Center (PSECC) which operates 911 service for the Twin Cities campus and security infrastructure for the system. In addition, the AVP/COP coordinates and provides guidance for public safety efforts for all five campuses of the University of Minnesota system.

The AVP/Chief of Police plays a critical role in fostering a campus environment where safety is paramount, enabling University community members to achieve their educational, research, and employment goals without fear. This requires a unique approach to policing, one that is philosophically and operationally committed to collaboration, de-escalation, accountability, and a deep passion for community engagement and student success, all while fully supporting the University's distinct educational mission and institutional values.

The UMPD is a fully sworn and POST certified, 24/7 police agency. The AVP/COP is required to respond to immediate and short-term concerns while developing long-range public safety strategies to protect individual rights, preserve the peace, prevent and suppress crime, protect life, property, and campus assets, identify and apprehend criminal offenders, enforce the law, and play a critical role in the University's emergency preparedness and response.

The AVP/COP, working with senior leadership, will shape the direction and future of campus safety with strategic initiatives, innovative programs and services, and data-driven decisions and policies to further enhance the overall campus experiences. The AVP/COP ensures the UMPD is fully integrated into the campus community, supports the mission of the University, and is viewed as a collaborative, supportive resource for campus and the broader surrounding areas.

Responsibilities:

* Directs the development of DPS's strategic plans, goals, and objectives to align with the University's vision for a safe and secure campus. Manage a consolidated program operating budget of approximately $29 million dollars and leadership responsibility of approximately 150 full-time staff, including 63 police officers and 33 security officers, as well as 55 student security, and 100 part-time officers.

* Bring a university-centered mindset that recognizes the distinct role of campus policing, prioritizing collaboration and alignment with institutional values and policies. Emphasize de-escalation, constructive engagement, accountability, and partnership with University leadership. Be guided by supporting safety in every sense of the word, and the University's unique educational mission.

* Lead the integration of the community and the police, emphasizing community engaged policing for all UMPD personnel. Work in partnership with the University community to sustain a customer-focused service environment.

* Provide a full range of comprehensive policing services including but not limited to: crime prevention, patrol, protection of life and property, emergency response, criminal investigation, parking and traffic enforcement, pedestrian and vehicular safety, education and training, and safety planning for special events.

* In addition to the sworn staff, oversee the management/monitoring of the digitally monitored and recorded surveillance video and alarms, the 911 Public Safety answering point, the electronic card access to buildings throughout the University system, and the Security Monitor Program.

* Demonstrate a personal commitment within the UMPD to the welfare of the community; maintain high and effective professional, legal and ethical standards, personally and for the organization. Manage the implementation and oversight of the union contracts and work rules, ensuring alignment with University policies and procedures.
* Serve as a visible public voice for the department, collaborating closely with University Marketing and Communications to ensure all public-facing communications, brand representation, and media relations align with University standards, are coordinated and timely, and support consistent messaging across platforms.

* Collaborate closely with University Emergency Management to develop, implement, and regularly exercise comprehensive emergency preparedness, response, and recovery plans, ensuring an integrated and effective approach to all-hazards safety for the campus community.

* Create and maintain a positive and engaging work environment. Provide assignments, training, and development opportunities for employees to maximize professional growth and keep the department prepared and up-to-date on best practice policing methodologies and tactics. Engage with a diverse university community and staff. Appropriately apply equal opportunities in the policing, recruiting, retention, promotion, and training of employees.

* Lead the collaboration and integration with other public safety agencies to maximize public safety in the community. Maintain ongoing relationships on and off campus with other public safety assets to either give or quickly receive support.

* Maintain awareness of campus and multi-jurisdictional public safety challenges (crime, traffic, major events) and anticipate and ensure threats are quickly identified, high readiness is maintained, and resources and coordination are in place to provide proactive or reactive services, as required.

* Serve as a public safety resource to the system campuses.

* Provide reports, presentations, and updates to the Board of Regents, University administration, faculty senate committees, student government, state legislature, local government, parents, student groups, classes, community groups, and others as requested.

* Serve as Incident Commander for large-scale events as appropriate.

* Work closely with the Minneapolis Police Department, St. Paul Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies to maximize safety of students living, working, or visiting in near-campus neighborhoods.

* Serves as a member of the Executive Vice President for Finance and Operations senior leadership team.

* Contribute to the overall strategic direction of the University.

* Lead the creation, formulation, and execution of the UMPD strategic work plan.

Work Environment:

The majority of the work is in an office setting, however the incumbent will be required to move about campus on foot or in a vehicle to ensure public safety requirements are met. The incumbent will be required to work outside and/or under hazardous conditions and must be able to perform standard policing duties. Will require work or travel after normal business hours including evenings, nights, and weekends, including on-call rotations.

Minimum Qualifications:
* A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
* At least 10 years of leadership experience within a police department, of which six years must be at an upper management/command level.
* Demonstrated experience recruiting, retaining, and directing a diverse staff of law enforcement personnel.
* Proven ability to effectively police in a diverse community.
* Experience developing and implementing major initiatives, programs, and projects.
* Experience with emergency response, threat assessment, and infrastructure security.
* Licensed or eligible to be licensed as a Peace Officer by the Minnesota Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) board.
* Valid Driver's License.
* U.S. citizen.
* Must pass a rigorous police back-grounding process that includes a personnel, employment, criminal, psychological and physical examination.

Preferred Qualifications
* A demonstrated understanding of the unique nature of policing within a higher education institution.
* Demonstrated expert knowledge, interpretation and application of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.
* Advanced Law Enforcement Training in leadership from a reputable organization, i.e. FBI Academy
* A relevant master's degree
* Experience overseeing police operations for large scale special events, dignitary visits and demonstrations.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
* Personal integrity, demonstrated leadership, and a commitment to student success.
* An excellent and highly respected leader who is customer-oriented, decisive, and results-focused.
* Proven strategic management skills with demonstrated experience formulating, leading, and implementing successful strategic initiatives.
* Excellent relationship building, collaboration with the ability to take a position while taking into account, and being respectful to, multiple, diverse perspectives.
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
* Experience in establishing and maintaining effective relationships with diverse populations and functions both within and outside an organization.
* A management style that entrusts decision-making into the organization with minimal intervention.
* Possesses both the wisdom and the political savvy to determine which initiatives are important enough to champion and which ones to relinquish.
* Ability to maintain the physical fitness level that is demanded of police who must carry out duties in extreme or dangerous conditions.
* Detailed knowledge of Federal and Minnesota state statutory codes, case law, civil law and procedures, and regulations and standards that govern the operation of Minnesota law enforcement agencies, as well as Federal regulations that govern campus safety.
* Demonstrated ability to work closely with local and state police agencies and government entities.

Pay Range: $207,793-$243,760 annually; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 100% Appointment (If job description above does not specify appointment or expected weekly hours, assume a 100% appointment.)

Position Type: P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications are only accepted through Spelman Johnson. Please click this link to apply.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).