Commander, Patrol Operations

California State University Northridge Police; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 168,000; Full time

Job summary

California State University Northridge Police seeks a Commander, Patrol Operations to oversee comprehensive law enforcement and public safety services on campus. You will coordinate patrol operations, emergency responses, staff development, and campus events while upholding professional standards and accountability.

The role requires leading diverse teams, evaluating incidents, and ensuring compliance with CSU policies and POST requirements.

Qualifications

• Five years of progressively responsible sworn law enforcement experience.
• One year of supervisory experience; management experience preferred.
• Must meet California POST standards and be able to obtain POST Management Certificate.

Responsibilities

• Administers patrol operations across multiple shifts and coordinates law enforcement activities.

Skills

Patrol operations

Leadership

Training & coaching

Written communication

Policy interpretation

Ethical leadership

Staff development

Emergency response

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

POST Management Certificate

Job description

The Commander, Patrol Operations oversees comprehensive law enforcement and support services within CSUN Police Services, ensuring effective patrol operations, public safety, and protection of life and property. The position coordinates specialized services, emergency responses, staff development, departmental initiatives, and campus event operations while promoting accountability, operational excellence, and professional standards.

Responsibilities

Under general supervision, the Commander, Patrol Operations administers patrol operations across multiple shifts, coordinates law enforcement and crime prevention activities, evaluates emergency responses, supports personnel development, ensures compliance with departmental standards, and collaborates with campus partners to provide effective public safety services throughout the university community.

• Plans, assigns, supervises, and evaluates the work of police officers, corporals, sergeants, dispatchers, and Community Service Officers (CSOs) assigned to patrol operations.
• Serves as the Watch Commander with primary responsibility for coordinating police operations during special events conducted during evening and weekend hours.
• Identifies organizational and individual training needs and assists in the development, coordination, and delivery of training programs that support departmental objectives, professional development, and operational effectiveness.
• Evaluates routine and emergency situations and determines appropriate operational responses during patrol shifts, including complex law enforcement incidents.
• Reviews reports, correspondence, memoranda, case files, and other documentation prepared by subordinate personnel to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with departmental policies, procedures, and legal requirements.
• As a leader, demonstrates a commitment to student success that is mission aligned with the university’s vision, values and priorities. Establishes an ethical and collegial work environment, promoting a collaborative, accountable and inclusive team. Encourages a courageous and resilient solution-oriented environment by participating in new opportunities to further the mission of the university. Participates in developing initiatives that further support the campus mission with a service-oriented and catalytic mind set. Strengthens employees by being communicative and a talent builder that develops team attributes, furthering departmental goals.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

*NOTE: To view the full position description copy and paste this link into your browser: https://mycsun.box.com/s/f5y7lfj5zjwszqad8235myvt2y8ibwyd

Qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university in a related field, or equivalent. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
• Must have at least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in a sworn law enforcement setting, including one (1) year of supervisory experience. Management experience preferred. Working in an educational setting is a plus.
• Must satisfy all California POST minimum employment standards and possess, or be able to obtain, a POST Management Certificate.
• Eligible to be a peace officer in the state of California.
• Must possess, or be eligible to obtain, a valid California driver's license.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Leadership

• Ability to coordinate complex patrol operations, emergency responses, and specialized law enforcement activities.
• Strong judgment and decision‑making skills in routine, critical, and high‑profile incidents.
• Ability to develop staff through training, coaching, performance evaluation, and professional development.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for responding to inquiries, reviewing reports, and collaborating with internal and external partners.
• Ability to interpret and apply departmental policies, legal requirements, CSU standards, and accreditation requirements.
• Ability to foster an ethical, inclusive, collaborative, service‑oriented, and accountable work environment.
• Lead diverse teams to support the operational mission and vision of employers by fostering an ethical, inclusive and collegial work environment.
• Demonstrated ability to support ongoing improvement through courageous, resilient, and catalytic leadership.
• Lead varying initiatives through a collaborative, service‑oriented and communicative approach.
• Demonstrated commitment to employee development, recognition, and accountability to further operational goals.

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

• Salary is commensurate with knowledge, skills, and experience. The University offers excellent fringe benefits.
• The anticipated HIRING RANGE: $160,000 - $168,204 per year, dependent upon qualifications and experience.
• Work is performed in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments under both routine and emergency conditions. The incumbent is regularly exposed to varying weather conditions, traffic hazards, noise, dust, fumes, and other environmental conditions associated with law enforcement operations.
• The position may require exposure to hazardous or potentially dangerous situations, including confrontational individuals, violent incidents, crime scenes, bloodborne pathogens, and other biological or chemical hazards.
• The incumbent may be required to work evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and extended or irregular hours, and must be available to respond to emergencies, critical incidents, and major campus events.

General Information

• This position is a sensitive position as designated by the CSU.
• A POST background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily. 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 selected candidate must pass a fingerprint clearance (Live Scan).