SUMMARY PURPOSE OF POSITION
The Deputy Chief of Police is an innovative and engaging leader responsible for managing State of Massachusetts certified police officers, dispatchers and other personnel within a Massachusetts Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (MACLEA) accredited department. They will assist the Chief of Police with developing, implementing, and managing comprehensive services and programs that support and respond to the law enforcement, security, and safety needs of the university community; maintain a high level of engagement and satisfaction among the officers and staff, including enhancing officer wellness initiatives; continues efforts to recruit, train, and retain exceptional staff that is diverse, well-qualified, and genuinely interested in serving the campus community; and serves as external liaison with the local community, federal, state, and local law enforcement, and other applicable agencies within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and City of Dartmouth.
The Deputy Chief of Police assists with managing critical incidents and events, liaises with local, state, and federal law enforcement, local fire departments, and emergency management agencies. The Deputy Chief of Police is expected to support the Chief of Police with responding to emergencies 24 hours per day 7 days per week. Exceptionally high degrees of confidentiality and discretion are required in this position. Exceptionally high degree of confidentiality and discretion are required for this position. The Deputy Chief of Police has an active role in all policy decisions, including significant involvement with labor relations/collective bargaining, and will have access to and provide input regarding data collection and analysis for all collective bargaining proposals prior to their submission to the unions. As such, the incumbent is a confidential employee as defined in M. G. L. Chapter 150E, Section 1.
EXAMPLES OF PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The following represent a range of duties and are not intended to be all-inclusive of the full responsibilities of the position.
• Assists the Chief of Police with supervising all aspects of the UMass Dartmouth Police Department including, but not limited to, management of personnel, budget, policy, compliance, and report and incident management
• Assumes role of Emergency Manager at the direction of the Chief of Police
• Oversees Internal Affairs Investigations and works closely with the POST Commission for certification and re-certification of officers
• Encourages the professional conduct of the staff by providing leadership and motivation of personnel
• Conducts periodic inspections as needed
• Oversees and manages patrols consistent with the community policing focus of the agency
• Applies problem solving methods and community policing principles in addressing campus community and law enforcement issues
• Interacts with campus departments and committees to further the safety and security of our campus community
• Serves on the Behavioral Intervention Team to mitigate threats to the campus
• Attends various meetings with campus partners
• Promotes the University’s commitment to customer service by building effective partnerships with co-workers throughout the University by freely sharing appropriate information and providing assistance when needed
• Supports the Chief with strategic planning, hiring, and developing an effective organizational structure
• Assists with maintaining the department’s Accreditation Program
• Ensures optimum service to all internal and external partners in response to all requests for service and information
• Works closely with the Clery Compliance Officer to ensure accurate crime statistics and the need for timely warnings
• Maintains an environment that is welcoming to persons of all backgrounds, nationalities, and roles
• Provides high-level technical and administrative staff assistance to the Chief.
• Assumes command of the department in the absence of the Chief
• Significant participation in administrative decision-making, labor relations/collective bargaining issues including grievances and contract administration, and serves as a member of the Administration’s negotiation team(s)
• Exercises best practices of community policing philosophy by incorporating strategies that continue to enhance crime reduction, promote safety, build community relationships, and effectively engage with students
• Performs duties of a sworn officer as necessary and appropriate
• Performs other job-related duties and responsibilities may be assigned and/or the job description changed periodically to reflect changing organization needs
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
EXPERIENCE
At least ten (10) years of experience in progressively responsible positions in a comparable college or university setting, including five (5) years in a command level position focused on community policing in a department with similar size and complexity to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth are required. They must be eligible for Police Powers pursuant to MGL Chapter 75, Section 32A, extra jurisdictional responsibilities promulgated by Mutual Aid agreements with local law enforcement, and/or Bristol County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Sheriff appointments.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
• Strong vision for leading a police department toward its common mission of community policing and the service and protection of the UMass Dartmouth community
• Possess a deep knowledge of community policing and ability to integrate that philosophy into the culture of the police department
• Ability to meet the challenges of the position with a positive attitude, while demonstrating a high level of integrity and good stewardship of campus resources
• 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
• A student-centered philosophy in which the welfare of students and improvement of the student experience is of the highest priority, with a commitment to customer services
• Ability to make decisions and adapt to significant changes in a fast-paced environment, able to address situations with proper composure; and ability to delegate actions/duties when appropriate
• Strong public relations skills, with the ability to be the positive representative of university police. Must be a transparent communicator with the ability to converse with all levels of individuals both internal and external to the university.
• Ability to formulate a plan for unifying, leading and motivating police, dispatch, and other staff
• 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
• Able to listen carefully, ask knowledgeable questions, learn the department and its intricacies, accept input from staff, and then make well-informed decisions
• Ability to understand the complexities of student life and the needs/issues of the campus communities; ability to anticipate and adapt to, a changing environment while maintaining the safety and order of the university
• Demonstrated commitment to, and past experiences with, diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts both within a department and the broader campus community
• Possess problem-solving and 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 to effectively manage change
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in compliance and associated reporting requirements, particularly the details of Clery and Title IX
• Demonstrated experience in embracing and utilizing new and innovative technology
• Strong budgeting and finance skills, and ability to make strategic budgetary decisions within the confines in a state budgeting system
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with senior administration, deans, students, faculty, staff, parents, governmental authorities, community and municipal groups and the public
• 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
• 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 as mental health officers and being front-line contacts in this area
• Possess deep knowledge of first amendment/free-speech issues as they relate to a public university setting
• Ability to operate effectively in stressful and emergency situations
• Knowledge of crime prevention and investigative and campus security legislation, protocols and regulations
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
• On call responsibility required
• Valid license to operate a motor vehicle
• Must successfully undergo a comprehensive background investigation, physical examination, psychological examination
• Be eligible to obtain and maintain Commonwealth of Massachusetts License to carry a firearm, and be eligible for Special State Powers
• Experience required in budget management, labor relations, affirmative action, and the ability to communicate themselves through both oral and written communications required
• Prior experience in dealing with the media, the use of social media in a police environment and in community relations is essential
PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS
• Master’s Degree
• Experience with labor relations working either in or with a labor organization
UMass Dartmouth offers exciting benefits such as:
75% Employer-Paid Health Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
Life Insurance
Long Term Disability
State Pension Retirement Plan
Optional Retirement Savings Plans
Tuition Credit (Employee, Spouse, & Dependents)
Twelve (12) paid holidays
Paid personal, vacation, and sick time
And More!
Benefits for Non-Unit Professional: Non-Unit Professional
Applicants must be authorized for employment in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship not available.
To apply please submit a letter of interest, current resume and the contact information for three professional references.
The deadline for internal applicants is 10/24/2023.
The review of applications will begin 10/25/2023 and will be ongoing.