Chief of Police

Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are
Established in 1908, James Madison University is a comprehensive public institution offering undergraduate, masters and doctoral programs to more than 20,000 students. JMU is regarded as one of the finest regional universities in the nation and has been continuously cited in U.S. News and World Report, Changing Times and Money Magazine as an outstanding public university. Located in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. Known for its livability, diversity, local food, arts and natural surroundings, this Virginia Main Street community is a great place to live and work.

Reporting to the senior vice president for administration and finance, the chief of police provides leadership to the JMU police department, including patrol operations, technical services, dispatch and communications, investigations, crime prevention, special events, and the cadet program. The chief is responsible for developing, planning, implementing, and managing a comprehensive law enforcement program that ensures a safe and secure environment to the JMU community; upholds a strong departmental commitment to the university’s mission as well as the divisional and departmental missions; verifies proper and adequate coverage by police department staff for all special and athletic events; and maintains continuous communication with senior leadership to keep them apprised of actual and potential risks. The director provides leadership for a staff of 74 people; 42 full time and 32 part time, and manages a $4.6 million budget.

Key Responsibilities for this Position:

• Provides effective and moral leadership to employees through supervision, guidance, encouragement, and support to all areas of oversight, to include patrol officers, investigators, police dispatchers, special events, cadet program, and police technical services.
• Directs and coordinates all matters related to the functions of the JMU police department in conjunction with the senior vice president for administration and finance. Serves as principle advisor to senior leadership on policy and program matters as they relate to campus security.
• Ensures compliance with legal and regulatory requirements as it relates to the police operations. Communicates changes in operations or compliance to staff and leadership in a timely manner. Develops and implements departmental policy and procedures and ensures adherence. Stays abreast of changes in regulations and requirements and informs senior leadership of such changes promptly.
• Oversees preparation and management of the budget for police department and serves as the signature authority for expenditures. Forecasts and controls expenses by projecting department needs, justifying requests, allocating funds, revising priorities, and monitoring overall budget health for the department.
• Ensures police personnel remain certified and trained as needed for required certifications. Encourages learning for all staff.
• Guarantees police department remains accredited through the Virginia law enforcement Professional Standards Commission.
• Provides proper and adequate police/public safety coverage for special and athletic events. At times, this requires collaboration with Virginia State Police and local police departments to provide ample coverage.

Required:

• A bachelor’s degree and significant experience in a management level position within a law enforcement organization.
• The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, policies, and procedures that promote campus security
• Experience in and considerable knowledge of the concept of community policing
• Strong customer service skills.
• The ability to obtain a certification by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services

Preferred:

• A degree in criminal justice, law enforcement, or a related field and experience in an institute of higher education’s police department

To apply go to https://joblink.jmu.edu/postings/8902 or visit JobLink.jmu.edu and reference posting number F1610. Pay Range: Commensurate with Experience.

James Madison University is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.