Campus Police Chief & Public Safety Leader

APCO International; Davis (CA); Hybrid; USD 191,000 - 392,000; Full time

Job summary

UC Davis seeks a dynamic Chief of Police to serve as the public safety executive for the university, guiding strategic direction and operational oversight of all police services. You will lead two large campus operations, manage an annual budget, and advise senior leadership on safety matters while fostering a safe, inclusive environment for students and staff.

The role requires outstanding leadership, integrity, discretion, and the ability to build trust across a diverse university community.

Qualifications

• Must be 21 years or older and a U.S. citizen.
• Must possess a current California POST Management Certificate issued by the Commission on Peace Officers' Standards and Training, or ability to obtain this certificate within one year of appointment for out-of-state candidates.
• Required to hold a valid California driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program
• Bachelor’s Degree required
• Command level experience in leading and managing a law enforcement workforce.
• Knowledge of criminal justice system with emphasis on the role of law enforcement as it relates to other agencies within the system, particularly prosecutors and the courts.
• Knowledge of current police methods and procedures, including apprehension and arrest, criminal investigations, collection and presentation of evidence, and police record keeping.
• Knowledge of police operating rules and regulations. Working knowledge of Peace Officers Bill of Rights (POBR). Knowledge of pertinent case law.
• Skills to understand and interpret the rules and regulations of the Police Department, pertinent University and City ordinances and regulations, State and Federal laws and court decisions.
• Oral and written communication skills to develop written narratives, reports, memoranda, correspondence, departmental policies, procedures and related material and convey them to a diverse community.
• Decision making skills to conduct both routine and complex tasks that require knowledge of law, case law and personnel.
• Organizational skills to achieve timely progress on multiple simultaneous complex projects, distribute effort appropriately among the projects, meet deadlines and maintain a high level of productivity.
• Skills to use police equipment and law enforcement technology, including computer hardware and software, vehicles, firearms, and non-lethal weapons.
• Knowledge to assess performance and communications skills to provide accurate and timely feedback, resolve problems/conflicts, and build effective team environment.
• Skills to develop logical plans, evaluating alternatives and anticipating risks, obstacles, and likely consequences.
• Skills to assess, prioritize, organize and direct others in major event planning or incident response.

Responsibilities

• Leads two full-service, 24/7/365 police operations on the Davis and Sacramento campuses of significant size and scale.
• Administers satellite security operations on both campuses for specialized and high-risk areas.
• Facilitates public safety services for numerous outlying research facilities and clinics.
• Serves as overall commander during an emergency where law enforcement is the lead agency, such as during credible threats, civil unrest, major crimes, and active assailants.
• Leads the rapid response and deploys appropriate resources during a threat or incident.
• Oversees activities for the safety and protection of controversial speakers, foreign dignitaries, US politicians, and UC officials when they visit UC Davis.
• Oversees patrols of campuses and deploys proactive measures to mitigate crime.
• Leads the 911 Dispatch and Security Operations Center, a centralized hub serving both campuses for emergency dispatch and physical-security monitoring during an incident.
• Communicates to the UC Davis community as required by federal law or as deemed necessary to alert and keep the community aware of public safety concerns.
• Manages recruitment efforts for both sworn and non-sworn UCDPD staff and mentors staff, leading the team through change and growth.
• Works through employee & labor relations situations, including working with police and other UC unions.
• Ensures UCDPD training is contemporary and meets or exceeds California POST and ICLEA accreditation standards.
• Improves department morale by measuring engagement and developing action plans to improve engagement.

Skills

Leadership experience

Public safety administration

Communication skills

Knowledge of criminal justice system

Policy development

Strategic planning

Interagency collaboration

Decision making

Organizational skills

Staff recruitment and mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Master’s Degree preferred

Job description

UC Davis seeks a dynamic Chief of Police to serve as the public safety executive for the university, guiding strategic direction and operational oversight of all police services. You will lead two large campus operations, manage an annual budget, and advise senior leadership on safety matters while fostering a safe, inclusive environment for students and staff.

The role requires outstanding leadership, integrity, discretion, and the ability to build trust across a diverse university community.