University Police Corporal

Kingston, RI
University of Rhode Island

Salary: $75,000 – $79,000

Position Summary:

In the absence of a University Police Sergeant, Lieutenant or other shift supervisor, provide supervision to University Police Officers and lesser ranking public safety personnel at the University of Rhode Island campuses. With a high degree of professionalism, promote public safety, enforce laws and Board of Education and University of Rhode Island regulations; effect arrests in accordance with provisions of federal, state, and local laws and ordinances; maintain order and security on premises within the legal jurisdiction; provide emergency medical services to the University community; protect life and property. Responsible for the proficiency, discipline, conduct, appearance, and attention to duty of all public safety personnel or interns under their supervision.

Essential Functions:

  • In the absence of a shift supervisor, supervise Police Officers and lesser ranking public safety personnel on an assigned shift and/or police unit. While serving in this capacity, responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, recording attendance, assigning daily work duties, filling shift vacancies, responding to requests for an officer in charge, and making notifications to superior officers and other University officials when necessary.
  • Ensure compliance with applicable published accreditation standards.
  • Be responsible for proper implementation of applicable University of Rhode Island policies and procedures. Document any violations and dispense reports as necessary.
  • Review reports for completeness and accuracy; interpret and clarify departmental policies, rules and regulations.
  • Maintain communication through briefings and/or meetings with line personnel, and provide feedback to relevant department staff.
  • Respond to and supervise at major crime scenes or events, deploying officers and equipment for maximum results.
  • Fill Command and General Staff roles, consistent with the Incident Command System component of the National Incident Management System. Will be called upon to fill these roles during an activation of the Emergency Operations Center. These roles include, but are not limited to, Section Chiefs (Operations, Logistics, Planning, Finance and Administration), or Deputy Chiefs, Division Supervisors (geographically defined area of responsibility), or Group Supervisors (functionally defined areas).
  • Ensure that notifications are made to the proper University officials as outlined in the Emergency Calls Procedures.
  • In cases where additional expertise is required, investigate accidents/incidents occurring within University premises and legal jurisdiction to determine appropriate enforcement action; assign follow-up investigations to police officers when a case in question warrants further data collection and investigation.
  • Prepare arrest warrants when appropriate.
  • Be accountable for the care and security of persons being detained and prisoners in the custody of the police department.
  • Ensure that prisoners are properly processed and that all court and arraignment paperwork is completed properly.
  • Inspect violation summonses issued by police officers for proper completion and notarize as appropriate.
  • Oversee deployment of officers covering University and department events. Evaluate each event for future planning, and make recommendations through the chain of command.
  • Report all problems related to delivery of departmental services to supervisors.
  • Maintain a cohesive working relationship with the Offices of Student Life, Housing & Residential Life, Student Activities, and other community resources to facilitate communication and foster positive relationships.
  • Document all accidents, incidents, investigations and other activities within University jurisdiction, and track occurrences and trends.
  • Patrol campus in motor vehicles or using bicycles, and/or on foot, in order to deter and detect criminal or unsafe activity.
  • Inspect campus buildings and property to guard against theft, damage, defacement, destruction, or fire.
  • Investigate all alarms and suspicious persons to ensure the safety of the campus community.
  • Conduct investigations and prepare detailed written and verbal reports on a variety of incidents including, but not limited to, criminal offenses, domestic violence, missing persons, personal injuries, and traffic accidents. Gather information by interviewing and obtaining statements from witnesses, victims, suspects and cooperating individuals.
  • Respond to and investigate reports of fire, disturbances, and other emergencies in a prompt manner.
  • Operate the Department’s communication equipment and communications center; answer telephone inquiries; receive reports of criminal activity; dispatch foot and mobile units; operate paging system; monitor alarm systems; prepare and distribute reports.
  • Communicate clearly and effectively over law enforcement radio channels when initiating and responding to radio communications and while operating a vehicle.
  • Operate law enforcement support equipment to include, but not be limited to, telephones, typewriters, fixed and portable radios, and computers, including mobile data terminals and cameras.
  • Maintain and operate all Department vehicles in accordance with Department policy, including inspecting vehicles for damage, contraband, or mechanical defects at the start and completion of the shift.
  • Maintain all equipment and weapons, including firearms, in a state of operational readiness.
  • Be familiar with all areas of campus. This will include knowledge of the roads, buildings, residential halls, Greek houses and other specialty housing.
  • Maintain orderly control of large crowds and enforce safety regulations at special events.
  • Identify and report public safety hazards within the campus.
  • Mediate disputes, defuse situations, and reach a satisfactory resolution between emotionally upset and often irrational persons involved in disputes, drunkenness or under the influence of narcotics, or those involved in situations in which a heightened emotional state may impair judgment.
  • Recognize and effectively engage with individuals who may be suffering from a permanent or temporary mental disorder.
  • Exercise independent judgment in determining when there is reasonable suspicion to detain, when probable cause exists to search and arrest, and when force may be used and to what degree, consistent with Department policy and applicable laws.
  • Interact with members of the University community and students in particular, engaging in community policing. This will include close interaction with student interns, and attendance and participation in University events designed to foster the relationship between the police and other members of the University community.
  • Recognizing the ever-changing nature of police work, officers will be required to attend periodic advanced training. This will include subjects such as non-violent conflict resolution, domestic violence and sexual assault investigations, cultural sensitivity and tactics in recognizing and responding to those with mental health issues. This will be achieved through a combination of in-service training and outside seminars. Receive mandatory annual training on issues of hazardous materials and bloodborne pathogens.
  • Arrest persons with or without a warrant, as permitted by law, for violations of state or federal statutes or local ordinances occurring on or adjacent to University property, and process those arrested in compliance with law and Department policy; and arrest those wanted by other law enforcement agencies. Ensure that all such arrests are properly documented in an official police report.
  • Preserve crime scenes in accordance with Department policy. Detect and collect evidence and substances that provide the basis of criminal offenses and infractions. Seize, transport, photography, and inventory evidence and property taken into custody and ensure the proper securing of evidence and property seized.
  • Assist in rendering safety-related services to the University community, including participating in the presentation of programs related to law enforcement and safety education. Effectively communicate with individuals by providing assistance, information, and directions.
  • Enforce University parking regulations and State traffic laws; issue related citations when appropriate, and perform traffic control duties, including traffic direction, use of radar or laser equipment for speed detection, and investigation of motor vehicle crashes.
  • Patrol parking areas to protect against vehicle theft and vandalism, and to enhance pedestrian safety.
  • Essential and secondary duties require maintaining physical condition necessary for the apprehension of suspects, including walking, running, bicycling, operating motorized equipment and vehicles, and positioning and maintaining traffic barricades.

Requirements:

  • Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and CPR certificate.
  • Must successfully complete all official departmental firearms training upon appointment.
  • Must be physically qualified to perform assigned duties as evidenced by a physician’s certificate.
  • Must satisfactorily pass a formal review process, which may include agility, psychological and/or competency tests.
  • Must pass a national criminal background check.

Preferred Requirements:

1. Associates degree.

2. Minimum three years of experience in an educational campus law enforcement environment.

3. Demonstrated considerable knowledge of Rhode Island Council on Postsecondary Education and University rules and regulations, including those in the Student Handbook.