Police Chief

Job Summary

The Police Chief, reporting directly to the Associate Vice President of Public Safety, is responsible for directing the total endeavor of the police department for the protection of lives and property. The department includes the program areas of Police, Records Management, Dispatch, and Event Security. During times of campus emergency or disaster, the Chief of Police, under the direction and leadership of the AVP Public Safety, works closely with the Director of campus Emergency Management to help ensure coordinated public safety planning and response to emergency situations that arise.

Department Summary

Key Qualifications

1. Thorough knowledge of modern principles, practices and techniques of police administration, organization and operation; technical and administrative phases of crime prevention and law enforcement, including criminal investigation, patrol operations, traffic control, juvenile delinquency control, record keeping, and care and custody of persons and property; laws, ordinances, and regulations affecting the work of the department.

2. Thorough knowledge of pertinent local, state and federal laws, criminal codes, appropriate sections of the California Administrative Policies and Education Code, and regulations.

3. Strong management, leadership and interpersonal skills and ability. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Ability and sensitivity to work with a diverse campus community. Ability to communicate effectively and establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with the campus community, the surrounding communities and the general public. A strong community policing philosophy and inclusive management style.

4. Effective budget planning and management skills.

5. Ability to direct and manage university police programs; ability to manage, supervise and evaluate subordinate employees; ability to maintain a calm, courteous and objective attitude in all situations; ability to act calmly and rationally in an emergency; ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others; ability to relate to and gain the confidence and cooperation of members of the campus community and the public; ability to assist in the administration of a public safety and law enforcement program in a fair and objective manner.

Education and Experience

• Must be a sworn California Police Officer at the time of appointment. Must satisfy all California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Minimum 8 years as a sworn peace officer, including at least 5 years management experience at mid-management or executive level.
• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college with a major in police science, criminology, public administration, or a related field. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Salary and Benefits

The anticipated hiring range for this role is $189,000 - $210,000 annually. Note that the offer is calculated based on the background and relevant years of experience of the individual selected.

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information. 

Cal Poly

Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 20,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit calpoly.edu.

Diversity Statement

At Cal Poly, we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees and our community. Bringing people together from different backgrounds, experiences and value systems fosters the innovative and creative thinking that exemplifies Cal Poly's values of free inquiry, cultural and intellectual diversity, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and environmental responsibility.

Cal Poly's commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring and retention. Cal Poly is an equal opportunity employer. 

Supplemental Information

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive.

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

This position may be "Designated" under California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. This would require the filing of a Statement of Economic Interest on an annual basis and the completion of training within 6 months of assuming office and every 2 years thereafter.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is not a sponsoring agency for staff positions (i.e. H-1B visas).