Police Captain

University of Houston; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Sick leave accrual

Medical coverage

Job summary

The University of Houston Police Department seeks a Police Captain to lead operations across multiple campuses, guiding administrative functions, patrols, investigations, and security programs.

The role emphasizes strategic planning, compliance with CJIS/IACLEA, staff development, and coordination with external agencies. A bachelor’s degree and significant supervisory experience are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; 7+ years related experience; 5+ years supervisory experience.
• Texas driver’s license and active licensure; background checks and pre-employment screening.
• Knowledge of CJIS, CLERY and IACLEA guidelines; ability to manage police operations and administration.

Responsibilities

• Lead police operations and campus security across UH campuses (Main, Sugarland, Katy, Victoria).
• Oversee police administration, field operations, investigations, and technology support.
• Coordinate with external law enforcement and university departments; manage procurement for the department.
• Ensure compliance with CJIS, CLERY, and IACLEA; provide management reports; develop programs and post orders.
• Conduct staffing decisions, performance evaluations, and employee development; participate in hiring panels.
• Represent department at committees and senior staff meetings; act as event commander for major events.

Skills

Leadership

Staff development

Police operations

Campus security

CJIS compliance

IACLEA guidelines

Procurement/administration

Event commander

Hiring panels

Staff supervision

Education

Bachelor’s degree

7+ years experience

5+ years supervisory

Texas Driver’s License / TCOLE license

Job description

Department: Police Salary: Commensurate with Experience/Education

Description

Assists the Chief of Police with the direction and management of personnel and resources for the University of Houston Police Department. Responsible for the overall management of police administration, police field operations, and campus security services. Implements the objectives of the Police Department and the law enforcement and security efforts within the areas under the control and jurisdiction of the University of Houston, including providing direction and management to all sworn and non-sworn employees of the department at the Main, Sugarland, Katy, and Victoria campus'. Pursuant to the State of Texas Executive Order No. GA-48, this position researches, works on, or has access to critical infrastructure and requires the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the University infrastructure. This position requires personnel be routinely reviewed to determine whether or not criminal history or continuous connections for the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the employee from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure.

• Provides leadership and staff development in areas of police operations and campus security. These areas encompass police patrols; security post assignments; dispatch communications; police administration; crime investigations; information technology, special events. Ensures all units are working collectively toward the departments goals and objectives that includes identifying best practices security standards for the campus to ensure student success.
• Identified as a Campus Security Authority as defined by the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Police and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act).
• Designs and implements operational, technical and administrative programs for community policing, crime prevention, law enforcement and related functions, including but not limited to, criminal and administrative investigations, patrol operations, traffic control, public safety, incident command, risk mitigation, threat abatement and tactical response to critical events. Coordinates and collaborates with other law enforcement agencies or university departments to resolve security related issues.
• Participates in the department's procurement process for goods and services.
• Ensures all responsible areas are compliant with Criminal Justice Information Security (CJIS), CLERY, and International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) guidelines for accreditation. Provide management report for unit assigned.
• Functions as Event commander at special events occurring on campus.
• Develops and implements goals, objectives, policies and procedures for the department and work units assigned. Regularly review and modify security post orders as needed.
• Evaluates and modifies programs, activities, policies, procedures, rules, orders and regulations to ensure compliance with the University's and Department's mission, goals, objectives, core values, System policies, university operating procedures, department policies and general law.
• Participates on various committees, councils, and process improvement teams. Attend departmental command staff meetings as well.
• Designs, establishes, and maintains organizational structure and staffing to efficiently accomplish the university's goals and objectives; participate in hiring panels; supervises and evaluates staff.
• Manages, counsels and advises subordinate personnel and reviews evaluations, reports and case files; approves leave requests, schedules overtime as needed and addresses complaints.
• Performs special assignments or projects aimed to increase department effectiveness and efficiency.
• Performs other duties as required.

MQ: Education: Requires a thorough understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of an analytical, technical or professional discipline; or the basic knowledge of more than one professional discipline. Knowledge of the discipline is normally obtained through a formal, directly job-related 4 year degree from a college or university or an equivalent in-depth specialized training program that is directly related to the type of work being performed.

Experience: Requires a minimum of seven (7) years of directly job-related experience. Certification/Licensing: Requires technical certification or licensing directly related to the job, as specified on a job description addendum.

Additional Posting Information

Requires a Bachelor’s degree from a college or university.

Requires a minimum of seven (7) years of directly job-related experience with five (5) years supervisory.

A valid, active TCOLE (formerly TCLEOSE) license with up-to-date annual TCOLE training.

Must be at least 21 years of age.

Must have a valid Texas Driver’s License before receiving job offer.

Must be able to work nights, weekends and additional assignments.

Must pass a Criminal History and valid Driver’s License check prior to an interview.

Must pass Background Investigation prior to employment.

Must pass a pre-employment drug screening.

UHPD requires all applicants to complete the criminal history fields on their application. Applicants with incomplete criminal history fields will not be considered for a position.

Required Information Includes, But May Not Be Limited To

• DOB
• Driver’s license
• Last 4 digits of SSN

Veterans are strongly encouraged to apply and will receive preference in employment over other applicants for the same position who do not have a greater qualification.

UHPD will conduct a Police Captain Assessment Center with experienced Law Enforcement Leaders to serve as Assessors.

Salary will be based on years of experience.

We Offer Exceptional Benefits

• Paid Time Off (accrual increases with your service years)
• Sick leave accrual
• Comprehensive free medical coverage for employees

(premiums apply for family members)

• Great optional benefits to enhance your medical coverage
• Many on-campus / off-campus employee perks

The selected candidate must have and/or obtain a Texas Driver’s License prior to job offer.

Physical & Environmental Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job and are not meant to be all inclusive. While performing this job the staff member shall:

Environmental

The employee may be exposed to inclement weather conditions; extensive public contact with student, faculty and staff. Employees are required to work various assigned shifts, including days, evenings, nights and weekends and may be required to remain at their post for an additional shift. All staff are “essential personnel” and are required to report to work during inclement weather.

Physical

Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in a law enforcement setting and an office setting; restrain or subdue individuals; walk, stand, sit, or run for extended periods of time; occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; occasionally climb and balance; ability to operate and use specialized law enforcement tools and equipment.

All positions at the University of Houston-System are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check.

The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal Opportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.