Director of Public Safety/Chief of Police

About the role

The Director of Public Safety/Chief of Police provides executive leadership and strategic direction for Ferris State University's comprehensive public safety and law enforcement program. This role includes overseeing campus safety and security, crime prevention, emergency response, investigations, parking and traffic enforcement, emergency management, and related public safety services.

Responsibilities

• Provides executive leadership and strategic direction for the Department of Public Safety and University police operations.
• Develops and implements departmental plans, priorities, goals, policies, and objectives consistent with the University’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Recruits, develops, supervises, evaluates, and, when necessary, disciplines departmental personnel in accordance with University policies, collective bargaining agreements, and employment requirements.
• Ensures departmental personnel receive appropriate training to maintain required certifications and remain current with evolving laws, practices, technologies, and professional standards.
• Uses operational data, crime and incident trends, and other measures to evaluate performance and inform staffing, deployment, resources, and improvement initiatives.
• Advises the Vice President for Administration and Finance and other University leaders regarding public safety risks, emerging issues, operations, and recommended strategies.
• Oversees law enforcement operations, including patrol, criminal investigations, crime prevention, traffic and parking enforcement, event security, and other public safety activities.
• Maintains systems of professional accountability, including review of use-of-force incidents, complaints, internal investigations, officer conduct, policy compliance, and corrective action.
• Coordinates emergency preparedness training, exercises, and tabletop activities to strengthen institutional readiness.
• Participates in University committees, working groups, outreach, and educational initiatives involving campus safety, emergency preparedness, student well-being, and related priorities.
• Ensures departmental policies, training, equipment, and practices comply with legal requirements and recognized professional law enforcement standards.
• Provides public safety planning and operational oversight for major University events, including athletic events, commencement, student activities, demonstrations, dignitary visits, and other events requiring coordinated security, traffic, or emergency planning.
• Collaborates with internal and external constituencies regarding law enforcement, crime prevention, public safety, and emergency preparedness.
• Provides law enforcement expertise to University behavioral intervention, threat assessment, and violence-prevention processes.
• Ensures departmental compliance with federal and state laws and applicable regulatory, reporting, records-management, and law enforcement requirements.
• Operates a university or personal vehicle safely while carrying out job responsibilities.

Requirements

A minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in law enforcement, public safety, or a closely related field, including substantial supervisory and management experience in a sworn law enforcement environment.

Demonstrated experience managing personnel, departmental operations, budgets, policies, and complex public safety matters.

Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) certified or certifiable within 90 days of hire.

Valid driver’s license.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, public administration, law enforcement, emergency management, or a related field.

To be considered, candidates should have a master’s degree in criminal justice, public administration, emergency management, higher education administration, organizational leadership, or a related field.

Experience providing leadership within a college or university law enforcement or public safety environment.

Experience leading a complex law enforcement or public safety organization.

Completion of an advanced law enforcement leadership program such as the FBI National Academy, Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, National Sheriffs’ Association, or comparable executive leadership program.

Experience with emergency management, emergency operations centers, incident command, crisis response, or continuity planning.

Experience with campus security technologies, including video surveillance, electronic access control, emergency notification, and public safety communications systems.

Experience developing collaborative relationships with community organizations and local, state, and federal law enforcement and emergency response agencies.

Skills

Strong leadership and management skills.

Proven ability to build and maintain positive relationships with diverse stakeholders.

Effective communication and interpersonal skills.

Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.

Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations related to public safety and law enforcement.

Proficiency in using public safety technology and emergency management systems.

Experience with threat assessment and violence prevention.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefit package (health care, vacation, etc.).

Final compensation will be determined based on the candidate’s overall qualifications, experience, and alignment with the University’s compensation philosophy in consultation with Human Resources.

Pay

$121,724 - $141,387. Salary is commensurate with education, experience, and other requirements.

Schedule

Full-time position.