Executive Director of Public Safety & Police Chief

Position Summary:

Salem State is seeking an Executive Director of Public Safety. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, proven abilities in supervision, interpersonal and management capabilities, ability to manage organizational change, demonstrated strategic planning ability, and experience in developing emergency planning, protocols, and procedures. The executive director specializes in critical incident response, NIMS, and crisis management; excels in written/oral communication and presentation skills; and exhibits a demonstrated commitment to community-oriented policing, procedural justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity.

Essential Functions:

1. Responsible for planning, organization, routine operation, and direction of the university police department.
2. Proactively engages with community members, implementing community-oriented policing on campus.
3. Ensures equitable enforcement of local, state, and federal laws and institutional regulations.
4. Advances the Salem State’s mission to promote Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
5. Responsible for establishing rules, regulations, and procedures for the security operation.
6. Keeps abreast of new laws that could affect university police and public safety functions.
7. Reviews and supervises incident reports and crime investigations.
8. Oversees all standard police and fire prevention functions, including parking control and record maintenance.
9. Designs and implements effective parking management and regulations, overseeing the maintenance of parking areas, roadways, and other university thoroughfares. Manages parking during special events.
10. Works closely with senior Student Life staff to help coordinate public safety in residence halls.
11. Coordinates snow removal with Facilities’ senior staff and makes decisions about class cancellation in consultation with the president.
12. Works closely with the risk management team and internal and external partners to identify and mitigate risks.
13. Ensures emergency equipment and supplies are inspected, tested, and maintained in a state of readiness for emergencies.
14. Maintains liaison with and cooperates with other police bodies, such as municipal and state police departments, fire departments, and the district attorney’s office.
15. Assists in maintaining good relations with area residents.
16. Establishes and maintains liaison with the District Court for effective processing of cases.
17. Prepares and oversees the budget.
18. Supervises police officers and personnel working on campus for the safety of members and properties.
19. Responsible for the selection and evaluation of university police officers and institutional security personnel.
20. Arranges training and professional development for police officers and safety personnel.

Requirements:

1. Bachelor’s degree required in police administration, public administration, business management, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.
2. A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible municipal or campus law enforcement experience, including at least 3 years of police management experience at a lieutenant rank or above.
3. Must successfully complete a CORI and background check and pass a psychological evaluation.
4. Out-of-state candidates will be expected to promptly obtain a permanent exemption from the Municipal Police Training Committee’s (MPTC) entry-level requirements for full-time police officers, including successfully completing the Massachusetts Municipal Police Officer Online Exemption Program and examination. They also will be expected to become POST-certified within six months of hire.
5. Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Commonwealth of Massachusetts license to carry a firearm and must satisfy firearms training and qualification standards for police officers that meet or exceed MPTC standards.
6. Must hold and maintain a valid driver’s license.
7. Must have substantial experience in handling personnel matters, preferably in a labor-management environment.
8. Must have the ability to administer a department effectively, including the preparation and maintenance of reports, records, programs, and scheduling.
9. Must have values aligned with Salem State’s strategic plan.
10. Demonstrated commitment to community-oriented policing.
11. Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, diversity, and justice.

Preferred Requirements:

1. Master’s degree.
2. Campus policing experience.
3. Professional training such as the FBI National Academy, Southern Police Institute, Senior Management Institute for Police, Northwestern Center for Public Safety, COPS, etc.
4. Experience of successful leadership in a union setting.