Chief of University Police

About the Role

Saginaw Valley State University seeks a Chief of University Police to provide leadership for the University’s team of licensed police officers in ensuring safety, security, and protection for the entire campus community. The Chief directs and manages comprehensive crime prevention, complaint investigation, emergency response, law enforcement, and parking services programs while ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and emphasizing a community policing philosophy.

Responsibilities

• Provides vision, leadership, and direction for the department, aligning operations with the University’s Mission.
• Maintains current knowledge of laws and ordinances pertaining to campus public safety and updates Police Department policies and procedures.
• Leads efforts to achieve and maintain State accreditation, ensuring compliance with established standards.
• Develops and implements short and long-range strategic plans for the University Police & Parking Services Department, emphasizing community policing principles.
• Leads planning and development of comprehensive goals and objectives for university-wide law enforcement operations.
• Develops, implements, and administers the department’s operating budget, ensuring strategic allocation of resources.
• Promotes accountability, transparency, and service excellence within the department.
• Oversees recruitment, selection, and retention of police officers, implementing strategies to attract and retain highly qualified personnel while promoting diversity and professionalism.
• Manages employee performance evaluations, coaching, and disciplinary processes.
• Coordinates the Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report in compliance with the Clery Act.
• Maintains positive working relationships with the University community and attends University functions.
• Serves on University committees, including the CARE Team, Behavioral Threat Assessment Team, Title IX committee, CLERY compliance committee, and co-chairs the Crisis Management Executive Group.
• Oversees review and approval of police reports and related documentation.
• Represents the department with external law enforcement and community groups.
• Directs the development and maintenance of record systems and legal documents for compliance with State and Federal requirements.
• Develops and delivers training for faculty, staff, and students on safety awareness and emergency procedures.
• Ensures timely communications to the campus community on safety and security matters, including Clery Act-required notifications.
• Directs and participates in investigations, crime prevention, community relations, special events, and security functions.
• Performs police officer duties as needed, including detection, apprehension, and resolution of criminal activity.
• Ensures ongoing professional training and development for all staff.
• Maintains active membership in local, state, and national law enforcement associations (e.g., Police Chiefs Association of Saginaw County, CMACP, MACLEA, MACP, IACP, IACLEA).
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Licensed by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards prior to employment.
• Twelve (12) years of law enforcement experience as a licensed police officer.
• Progressively responsible experience in leadership, supervision, and/or administration.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience building successful partnerships with community stakeholders.
• Proven record of practicing community policing principles.
• Valid Michigan driver’s license or ability to obtain one upon appointment.
• Physical capabilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.
• Ability to positively interact with all members of the campus community.
• Proficiency in personal computer applications and systems necessary for departmental operations.
• Outstanding professional reputation with the highest level of honesty, integrity, and ethical leadership.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Higher Education Administration, or a closely related field.
• Five (5) years of law enforcement command experience.
• Police department service at a higher education institution.
• Experience with collective bargaining and labor relations.
• Trained in incident and threat assessment techniques.
• Knowledge of the Clery Act requirements.
• Experience working with Title IX, Behavioral Threat Assessment Teams, CARE Teams, and other multidisciplinary response models.
• Graduate of an advanced police command training program (e.g., FBI National Academy, Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, Southern Police Institute) or equivalent state-level training.

About University Police & Parking Services

The mission of University Police & Parking Services is to provide safety, security, and protection for the entire SVSU community. The department pursues strategic objectives including:

• Instituting, communicating, and exercising emergency procedure protocols.
• Using a variety of emergency notification strategies to alert the community quickly.
• Offering security and crime prevention programs to heighten awareness.
• Providing crime prevention efforts through community awareness and interaction.

The SVSU Police Department is staffed by licensed police officers 24/7 and participates in mutual aid agreements with local law enforcement agencies. The department is recognized as a collaborative, community-focused public safety agency that values integrity, preparedness, education, and proactive engagement.

About Saginaw Valley State University

Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU), founded in 1963, is one of Michigan’s 15 public universities with an enrollment of nearly 7,000 students, including 2,000 residential students. Located in Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region, SVSU spans 748 acres and features a majority of newly built or updated campus buildings. SVSU offers over 100 academic programs across five colleges: Health & Human Services; Arts & Behavioral Sciences; Science, Engineering & Technology; Business; and Education.

SVSU provides a wide range of opportunities for student engagement, including elite honors programs, NCAA Division II varsity sports, and over 170 registered clubs and organizations. The university employs over 1,100 staff and faculty and fosters an inclusive campus culture with support services such as Tutoring & Academic Support, Mental Health & Wellness Center, Center for Career Readiness, Multicultural Support and Services, and Accessibility Resources and Accommodations.

SVSU has been nationally recognized as a “Great College to Work For” for nine consecutive years and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The university holds specialized accreditations for ten programs and received the Carnegie Foundation’s 2015 Community Engagement Classification.