District Police Chief

Allan Hancock College; California; On-site; USD 138,000 - 177,000; Full time

Job summary

Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, California seeks a District Police Chief to lead the campus police force, ensure safety, and coordinate with city and county law enforcement. The role emphasizes protecting life and property, enforcing laws, and maintaining records to support district operations.

Under the cabinet-level administrator, you will oversee training, emergency management, grant writing for the department, and foster collaboration across campuses.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of state and federal occupational safety and health laws.
• Familiarity with Penal and Vehicle Codes and related regulations.
• Understanding of Peace Officer Rights and POST certification requirements.
• Experience with campus law enforcement operations and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership to the District’s Police Department.
• Manages enforcement of laws on campus; coordinates staff response to incidents and prepares reports.
• Plans and supervises law enforcement, security, and parking activities across district sites.
• Coordinates patrols and monitors campus facilities for safety and security.
• Prepares or supervises documentation supporting student discipline and incident reports.
• Ensures compliance with POST, SEMS, and related safety regulations.
• Develops emergency plans and coordinates with local authorities as needed.

Skills

Law enforcement laws

Safety & health codes

Peace Officer Rights

Penal & Vehicle codes

Crowd control techniques

SEMS knowledge

Supervision policies

Job description

District Police Chief

Salary

$138,313.00 - $176,527.00 Annually

Location

Santa Maria

Job Type

Administrator

Job Number

202200466

Department

Campus Police

Opening Date

08/22/2025

Position Summary

Under general direction of a cabinet-level administrator, plan, organize and supervise the operation of the district sworn police force and security and parking functions; maintain cooperative relations with city and county law enforcement agencies; provide safety and security services at each campus and all District locations in order to preserve order, prevent crime, protect life and property; enforce laws and regulations in accordance with the laws of the State of California. To maintain records and reports; and value and promote the mission and vision of the college.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

The administrator performs professional work involving independent judgment in the interpretation and application of policies and procedures and will have a high frequency of responsible contact with administrators, staff, and students, as well as personnel of other public/private agencies requiring tact and good communication skills. The incumbent oversees and coordinates the district’s Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) program to ensure it is current and staff and student groups are adequately trained on public related safety topics. The incumbent instructs students, visitors, and college personnel in proper lawful campus behavior and deters crime by maintaining high visibility rate around campuses and will also apprehend and arrest violators as necessary.

Essential Functions and Qualifications

• Provides leadership and direction to the District’s Police Department.
• Manages enforcement of all laws on campus; coordinates police staff response to alarms and radio calls; supervises and may participate in investigations of crimes and other violations occurring on district campuses; testifies in court; contacts witnesses, victims, and suspects to collect statements and prepare reports; checks and interrogates suspicious persons; conducts searches for illegal, lost or stolen substances or materials; submits written reports and complaints to the district attorney.
• Plans, organizes, supervises law enforcement activities, and operations of police, security, and parking personnel at all district sites; advises staff of problem areas; directs the assignment and training of staff.
• Coordinates and evaluates police patrol of college grounds and facilities for all district sites before, during, and after school hours; observes and controls students, visitors and other personnel using campus facilities as necessary.
• Provides police support in matters of alleged violations of student conduct; prepares or supervises preparation of documents supporting student discipline.
• Interprets and adheres to laws, rules and regulations affecting community college police departments, including but not limited to the California Government, Education, Penal, Vehicle, Business and Professional, Health and Safety Codes and provides guidance to District personnel.
• Prepares or supervises the preparation and maintenance of memoranda, activity and case reports, and records on all district campuses; writes management reports on arrests and campus incidents for the college and local police department.
• Ensures the District complies with mandated disclosure and information dissemination activities, including but limited to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.
• Ensures the department complies with state and federal crime data reporting mandates.
• Ensures the department complies with mandates to maintain POST certification.
• As necessary, prepares emergency plans and responds to major incidents reported to the District’s Police Department and ensures that the Incident Commander is following Incident Command System/Standardized Emergency Management System (ICS/SEMS) protocol.
• Confers with college staff regarding security measures; develops and recommends crime prevention procedures and security improvement methods, and sees that established procedures are carried out efficiently; develops and ensures the accuracy of police department policies and regulations.
• Plans and supervises district parking and traffic control program; defines parking regulations for all district locations; issues parking permits.
• Oversees inspections for vandalism, illegal entry, theft, and fire.
• Provides animal control in accordance with county, city, and district regulations.
• Writes grants to enhance the financial support for the District’s Police Department.
• Maintains professional liaison with local police and fire authorities as necessary.
• Serves on or chairs councils and committees as assigned.
• Coordinates and evaluates Campus Safety Department for receiving complaints and requests for assistance from students, visitors, and campus personnel.
• Coordinates and evaluates Campus Safety Officers for security and parking enforcement of college grounds and facilities for all district sites before, during and after school hours.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Law enforcement laws and procedures relative to basic patrol arrest, search and seizure, and rules of evidence;
• Pertinent provisions of the state and federal law relating to occupational safety and health;
• Law and ordinances related to police discipline and the Peace Officer Bill of Rights;
• Penal Code and Vehicle code;
• Crowd control techniques;
• Principles and practices of the Standardized Emergency Management System;
• Basic patrol, investigation, and plan protection procedures;
• Advanced police supervision policies and methods.

Demonstrated ability to:

• Lea