Assistant Vice President and Chief of Police

Assistant Vice President And Chief Of Police

The Assistant Vice President and Chief of Police (AVP / COP) is responsible for providing high quality, comprehensive public safety services for the University of Minnesota. This position reports to the Executive Vice President for Finance and Operations and leads the University of Minnesota Department of Public Safety, which includes the Police Department (UMPD) and University Security on the Twin Cities campus and the Public Safety Emergency Communications Center (PSECC) which operates 911 service for the Twin Cities campus and security infrastructure for the system. In addition, the AVP / COP coordinates and provides guidance for public safety efforts for all five campuses of the University of Minnesota system. The AVP / Chief of Police plays a critical role in fostering a campus environment where safety is paramount, enabling University community members to achieve their educational, research, and employment goals without fear. This requires a unique approach to policing, one that is philosophically and operationally committed to collaboration, de-escalation, accountability, and a deep passion for community engagement and student success, all while fully supporting the University's distinct educational mission and institutional values. The UMPD is a fully sworn and POST certified, 24 / 7 police agency. The AVP / COP is required to respond to immediate and short-term concerns while developing long-range public safety strategies to protect individual rights, preserve the peace, prevent and suppress crime, protect life, property, and campus assets, identify and apprehend criminal offenders, enforce the law, and play a critical role in the University's emergency preparedness and response. The AVP / COP, working with senior leadership, will shape the direction and future of campus safety with strategic initiatives, innovative programs and services, and data-driven decisions and policies to further enhance the overall campus experiences. The AVP / COP ensures the UMPD is fully integrated into the campus community, supports the mission of the University, and is viewed as a collaborative, supportive resource for campus and the broader surrounding areas.

Responsibilities include :

• Directing the development of DPS's strategic plans, goals, and objectives to align with the University's vision for a safe and secure campus.
• Managing a consolidated program operating budget of approximately $29 million dollars and leadership responsibility of approximately 150 full-time staff, including 63 police officers and 33 security officers, as well as 55 student security, and 100 part-time officers.
• Bringing a university-centered mindset that recognizes the distinct role of campus policing, prioritizing collaboration and alignment with institutional values and policies.
• Leading the integration of the community and the police, emphasizing community engaged policing for all UMPD personnel.
• Providing a full range of comprehensive policing services including crime prevention, patrol, protection of life and property, emergency response, criminal investigation, parking and traffic enforcement, pedestrian and vehicular safety, education and training, and safety planning for special events.
• Overseeing the management / monitoring of the digitally monitored and recorded surveillance video and alarms, the 911 Public Safety answering point, the electronic card access to buildings throughout the University system, and the Security Monitor Program.
• Demonstrating a personal commitment within the UMPD to the welfare of the community; maintaining high and effective professional, legal and ethical standards, personally and for the organization.
• Serving as a visible public voice for the department, collaborating closely with University Marketing and Communications to ensure all public-facing communications, brand representation, and media relations align with University standards, are coordinated and timely, and support consistent messaging across platforms.
• Collaborating closely with University Emergency Management to develop, implement, and regularly exercise comprehensive emergency preparedness, response, and recovery plans, ensuring an integrated and effective approach to all-hazards safety for the campus community.
• Creating and maintaining a positive and engaging work environment. Providing assignments, training, and development opportunities for employees to maximize professional growth and keep the department prepared and up-to-date on best practice policing methodologies and tactics.
• Leading the collaboration and integration with other public safety agencies to maximize public safety in the community. Maintaining ongoing relationships on and off campus with other public safety assets to either give or quickly receive support.
• Maintaining awareness of campus and multi-jurisdictional public safety challenges (crime, traffic, major events) and anticipating and ensuring threats are quickly identified, high readiness is maintained, and resources and coordination are in place to provide proactive or reactive services, as required.
• Serving as a public safety resource to the system campuses.
• Providing reports, presentations, and updates to the Board of Regents, University administration, faculty senate committees, student government, state legislature, local government, parents, student groups, classes, community groups, and others as requested.
• Serving as Incident Commander for large-scale events as appropriate.
• Working closely with the Minneapolis Police Department, St. Paul Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies to maximize safety of students living, working, or visiting in near-campus neighborhoods.
• Serving as a member of the Executive Vice President for Finance and Operations senior leadership team.
• Contributing to the overall strategic direction of the University.
• Leading the creation, formulation, and execution of the UMPD strategic work plan.

Work Environment : The majority of the work is in an office setting, however the incumbent will be required to move about campus on foot or in a vehicle to ensure public safety requirements are met. The incumbent will be required to work outside and / or under hazardous conditions and must be able to perform standard policing duties.