Chief of University Police

The Iacp; Brookings (SD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

South Dakota State University seeks a Chief of University Police to lead the campus safety mission in Brookings. The chief will oversee policing services, form strategic partnerships, and support students, faculty and staff through proactive safety programs.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Safety and Security, the Chief must balance legal compliance, investigations, emergency response, and staff development while aligning operations with the university's educational mission.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the University Police Department, directing patrols, investigations, and crime prevention efforts.
• Develop and execute strategic safety programs aligned with the university mission.
• Ensure legal compliance, training, and performance evaluation across the department.
• Collaborate with campus leadership, students, faculty, and external agencies to enhance safety.
• Oversee budgeting, personnel management, and emergency response planning for campus events.

Job description

The Chief of South Dakota State University Police is a key university leader that works in collaboration to

create the conditions in which students, faculty and staff can learn, work, research and thrive. The Chief of

University Police will work under the direction of the Asistant Vice President of Safety and Security and will

oversee comprehensive policing services including crime prevention, patrol, protection of life and propriety,

law enforcement emergency responsiveness, criminal investigations, education and training along with

safety planning for special events.

The successful candidate should bring broad knowledge of comprehensive public safety operations,

program administration, organizational management, investigations, patrol, traffic control, records,

crime prevention, recent court decisions, public relations, applicable laws and regulations, government

budgeting, personnel management, supervision, training and performance evaluation.

SD Stateis looking for a leader who combines professional judgment, emotional intelligence and genuine

interest in students and people. University policing is at its best when the Chief understands that public safety

is inseparable from the educational mission. The role is about leadership, alignment, trust, student support

and helping the university move toward its strategic future. The Police Chief is accountable for working

with the Assistant Vice President of Safety and Security to set the strategic direction of the department.

The Chief is responsible for leading staff and operations, building critical partnerships, ensuring legal and

professional compliance, and managing organizational and public safety risk.