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Chief of Police

Employer
Spelman Johnson
Location
North Dakota
Salary
Competitive
The University of North Carolina Wilmington, (UNCW) the state's coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world-class faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking and a community rich in diversity, inclusion and global perspectives. A public institution with nearly 18,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to-BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation's only bachelor's degree program focused on coastal engineering. The university's efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of "Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity" institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.

Reporting to the vice chancellor for business affairs, the chief of police is the administrative head of the University Police Department (UPD) and is responsible for providing oversight to administrative and management functions within the department, including, but not limited to, policy, planning, personnel, operations, investigations, administrative processes, and budget management activities of the department. The police department seeks to maintain an atmosphere in which people can go safely about their varied activities in furtherance of the university's mission, and promotes a climate that encourages freedom of expression and social engagement. The chief provides broad input across the university on matters of safety, security, and law enforcement.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS A bachelor's degree in criminal justice, public or business administration, or a closely related field and at least fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in law enforcement, including ten years of supervisory experience; or a master's degree in criminal justice, public or business administration, or closely related field and at least ten years of progressively responsible experience in law enforcement, including at least five years of supervisory experience are required. Certification as a Law Enforcement Officer in accordance with the provisions of the North Carolina Criminal Justice Training and Standards Commission or the ability to achieve certification within one year of employment is also required. Experience in a higher education setting is preferred. The ideal candidate will possess broad experience across multiple police functions - including patrol, crime prevention, criminal investigation, and administration with an established, successful record of managing the activities and functions of a police department; demonstrated ability to provide positive and motivational leadership to police department personnel; demonstrated awareness of/sensitivity to cultural issues and an ability to effectively respond to the needs of a diverse constituency; and knowledge of CALEA accreditation standards.

In addition to the minimum academic and experiential requirements indicated in this document, other desired characteristics, skills, actions, and/or abilities noted from discussions with institutional stakeholders include:
  • Possess a strong vision for leading a police department toward its common mission of the service and protection of its community.
  • Demonstrate the ability to formulate a plan for unifying and leading police staff who will encounter a broad spectrum of issues that may be directly or indirectly related to the department.
  • Strong leadership abilities that inspire staff and promote unity and teamwork, as well as human relations skills to deal effectively with personnel issues when necessary.
  • An excellent and transparent communicator with the ability to reach all levels of the department and the university, including the ability to effectively speak to the press, parents, and the campus community.
  • Ability to listen carefully, ask knowledgeable questions, learn the department and its intricacies, accept input from staff, and then make well-informed decisions.
  • Possess strategic vision and ability to motivate all levels of staff to support that vision.
  • Deep knowledge of community policing and ability to integrate that philosophy into the culture of the police department.
  • A student-centered philosophy in which the welfare of students and improvement of the student experience are of the highest priority.
  • Possess problem-solving skills, with the ability to determine needs, address issues, and manage change effectively.
  • Strong assessment skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions, set expectations across the department, devise and implement a plan, analyze the results, and propose changes and updates based on these outcomes.
  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience in compliance and associated reporting requirements, particularly the details of the Clery Act.
  • Adaptable to significant changes on the spur of the moment, and able to address situations with a cool and collected demeanor.
  • Demonstrated experience in embracing and utilizing new and innovative technology.
  • Strong budgeting and finance skills, and able to be strategic in all budgetary decisions and recognize the limits of the state budgeting system.
  • An innovator willing to explore new opportunities, remain informed on new trends and best practices, and lead significant change processes.
  • Ability to incorporate a customer service philosophy into all applicable functions of the job.
  • An ardent delegator who can balance knowing when to actively participate and when tasks can be delegated, and the ability to hold staff accountable for their areas of responsibility.
  • Willingness to be visible on campus, to participate in the life of the campus, and to work with the administration to provide information and news to the campus community in a timely and appropriate fashion.
  • Politically savvy and tactful, with the ability to advocate for the needs of the staff and the department.
  • Possess a knowledge of social media and able to harness and leverage it for the department.
  • Possess a positive attitude and good sense of humor.
  • Experience in and support for professional law enforcement organizations that provide education and development for campus.
  • Possess an understanding of mental health issues, as well as the value of having officers trained to appropriately respond to individuals experiencing mental distress.
  • Ability to adequately staff major campus events, including athletics and entertainment, in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
  • Possess deep knowledge of First Amendment and free-speech issues as they relate to a public university setting.
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES OF THE ROLE The new chief of police must commit to a comprehensive culture of collaboration/partnering and clear and transparent communication within UPD and across campus and the surrounding community. UNCW is committed to building strong, healthy, and mutually supportive relationships as a foundation of the campus culture, and strong collaboration is an absolute necessity in all endeavors to ensure success. The chief interacts with a wide variety of stakeholders including students, faculty, administration, departments, and community members, so it will be crucial that the new chief proactively reach out across each of these areas to continuously build solid and mutually beneficial relationships that foster ongoing positive interactions. These connections are essential to assess the real needs of constituents, provide exceptional programs and services for the campus, and ensure that UPD is known for its customer-and student-centered approach to campus policing. A strong, positive relationship with student affairs leadership will also be essential for success.

The department has recently experienced a significant number of retirements within the senior leadership of the organization resulting in a loss of institutional knowledge. In addition, many of the new leaders bring less experience to their roles and will likely need additional guidance and mentoring from the chief. Three of the four lieutenants in the department are new to their roles. The internal promotions have led to many new hires in entry-level officer positions. The chief must work to develop a clear promotion system within the department and ensure that the necessary training and support are in place for supervisory staff. UPD must continue to work on its recruitment and retention efforts to address the hiring challenges that are facing many law enforcement agencies. The chief will be expected to bring innovative practices and ideas regarding the hiring, training, and retention of public safety team members

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are critical values of the UNCW community. The chief of police should be a leader in supporting, understanding, embracing, and nurturing these concepts, both internally to UPD and externally from the department into the campus and local community. UPD must be a model for maintaining a strong sense of equity and an unbiased, supportive environment at all times..... click apply for full job details

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