Campus Police Officer

Gardner-Webb University invites applicants for a Campus Police Office. This position serves in the University Police Department within the Division of Student Development. The Campus Police Officer will perform general law enforcement work to protect life and property on the Gardner-Webb University Campus. With the support of the Campus Police leadership, employees are empowered to provide essential and important public services for our student, staff, and visitors. This is a full-time, 12 month position.

General Definition and Conditions of Work

An employee in this class independently performs a full range of law enforcement duties in the areas of community policing, traffic, investigation, and patrol duties. Work includes preventing, detecting and investigating disturbances and crime, helping victims, and performing traffic control work; apprehending suspects; testifying in court; and, executing related assignments. Employee must exercise judgment, initiative, and calm control when performing duties. Work is performed in accordance with campus policy and state and federal law, supplemented by specific directions from superior officers. Work is performed under stressful emergency conditions and frequently involves personal hazards. The employee is subject to hazards associated with law enforcement including working in both inside and outside environments, and exposure to various hazards such as various atmospheric conditions, noise, vibration, and physical conditions. Employee is subject to Level III OSHA Standards on blood borne pathogens, and may be required to work in close quarters. Work is performed under the general direct supervision of the Police Chief and Assistant Chief of Police , and is evaluated through observation, review of reports, and discussions concerning how particular incidents or activities were handled.

Essential Functions & Typical Tasks

• Independently patrols streets throughout the campus in a police car or on foot.
• Develops and maintains working rapport with students, faculty, staff, citizens, and community leaders.
• Checks doors and windows; examines premises of unoccupied residences or buildings; detects unusual conditions, maintains surveillance and observation for stolen cars, missing persons, or suspects; and, reports dangerous or defective streets, sidewalks, traffic lights, or other hazardous conditions.
• Responds independently to calls for assistance, complaints, suspicious activity, domestic disputes, loud and disruptive behavior, and other needs; determines nature of the situation and takes appropriate legal or persuasive action warranted.
• Investigates traffic accidents; issues traffic citations; directs traffic; and participates in other emergency operation activities; may be required to give chase to speeding vehicles while ensuring public safety.
• Performs investigations of accidents and possible crimes through observation, questioning witnesses and others in the community, and gathering physical evidence; and arrests and processes criminal suspects.
• Apprehends and processes criminal suspects and transports to magistrates and detention facilities.
• Advises the public on laws and local ordinances; and serves legal papers as needed.
• Regulates and directs vehicular traffic at busy times or when traffic signal malfunction or accidents require; and maintains order at public gatherings.
• Operates a two-way radio to receive instructions and information from or to report information to police headquarters; maintains vehicle, weapons, and other equipment in standard working order.
• Prepares records and reports on activities.
• Follows all applicable safety rules and regulations.
• Assists stranded motorists; gives information and directions to visitors and the general public.
• Performs related duties as required.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Working knowledge of the state and federal laws, local ordinances, and policies of the campus police department, especially relating to arrest, search and seizure, and traffic control.
• Working knowledge of law enforcement principles, practices, methods, community policing and equipment.
• Working knowledge of scientific crime detection and criminal identification methods and procedures.
• Knowledge of the geography and street system of the campus.
• Skill in the use of firearms and other police equipment and in the application of self-defense tactics.
• Ability to act with sound judgment in routine and emergency situations.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms.
• Ability to present effective court testimony.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise reports.
• Ability to build and maintain cooperative and effective public relations with citizens and tourists.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, citizens, community business owners, superiors and other public officials.
  
  

Physical Requirements

Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and perform repetitive motions. Must be able to perform heavy work of exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and 50 pounds of force frequently, and 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Must possess the visual acuity to perform extensive reading, to operate law enforcement equipment, and to perform computer work.

Education And Experience

Completion of a two-year degree in Criminal Justice or graduation from high school supplemented by basic courses in law enforcement; or an equivalent combination of education, with 5 years of experience.

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid North Carolina driver’s license and be certified in North Carolina Justice Training and Standards Council as a law enforcement officer.
• Must be able to work days, nights, weekends, holidays and special events as needed.
• Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Candidates should send a letter of interest, resume, and three references with their application.
  
  

Gardner-Webb University (gardner-webb.edu) is a coeducational, residential, private, historically Baptist, Christian institution, located in Boiling Springs, North Carolina with easy access to Charlotte, Asheville, and Greenville-Spartanburg. The University offers 80 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to approximately 3,000 students. GWU is a Carnegie-classified Doctoral/Professional University. In 2023, Gardner-Webb was home to students from 93 counties in North Carolina, 44 US states, and 43 foreign countries. GWU is a NCAA Division I institution with 22 athletic teams and 460 student-athletes.