Chief of Police

Corporate Hiring Solutions

Oneonta, NY 13820, USA

Published: 6/14/2022

Full Time

Job Description

The Opportunity

Corporate Hiring Solutions Inc. (CoHires), recruiting partner for SUNY Oneonta, is in search of the Chief of Police for SUNY Oneonta campus. SUNY Oneonta is a public college in central New York enrolling approximately 5,500 students who pursue bachelor’s or master’s degrees or certificates in one of more than 70 academic programs. Known as an exemplary residential campus that values inclusion, service, and sustainability, SUNY Oneonta is a nurturing community where students grow intellectually, thrive socially, and live purposefully.

The University Police Department (UPD) coordinates campus safety and security. It has a force of eighteen sworn police officers with full arrest powers. As an armed police department, patrol members respond to all emergencies and are dispatched by seven professionally trained dispatchers. The officers have passed a basic training program administered by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) or a local, regional Police Academy and undergo continuous training to upgrade their skills. Officers have been trained in emergency medical procedures and first aid. They conduct foot, bike, and vehicular patrols on the campus and residence hall areas 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The Chief of Police is also supported by an Assistant Chief, and a Police Academy Director.

Role of the Chief of Police for SUNY Oneonta

SUNY Oneonta is seeking a dynamic leader and visible member of the campus community who understands and celebrates community policing and the educational and service role of policing within an institution of higher education to serve as its next Chief of Police. The position reports to the Vice President of Student Affairs. The Chief will be a steady leader in an emergency or escalating situation, a positive influencer among peer leaders, and an innovative policing expert. The Chief will engage in the campus and the Oneonta community. Further, the Chief will oversee the administration and operation of the college's law enforcement and police functions to ensure a safe environment for the college's core pursuit and mission of student success, with the additional primary responsibilities of prioritizing and advancing community–police relationships and providing oversight of campus emergency response planning and training.

The Chief supervises and provides direction for members of the University Police Department, including the assistant chief of police, sworn university police officers, dispatchers, emergency management, and administrative support staff. The position is expected to maintain a cohesive and positive work culture across multiple shifts and workdays; it provides leadership and overall direction for foot, bike, and vehicular patrols, incident investigations, special event safety, traffic management, and campus outreach. The Chief is also responsible for the overall operations of the SUNY Oneonta Law Enforcement Academy.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
At least 10 years of progressively responsible law enforcement experience including at least 5 years of supervisory and/or management experience as a law enforcement professional.
Possess a strong service orientation and demonstrated ability to work in a diverse, multicultural, and complex community.
Ability to maintain New York State police officer certification (with firearms) or, if from outside New York, certification in the current state of employment/residence with the ability to become New York certified.
Possess or have ability to obtain a valid New York State driver’s license by time of and throughout employment.
Possess a motor vehicle record free from major violations or a pattern of repeat violations.

Additional Qualifications

Superior interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written).
Strong leadership and supervisory experience.
Effective training skills.
Ability to work closely with all university constituencies including but not limited to students, employees, other policing agencies, and the general public.
Demonstrated ability to conduct and supervise criminal investigations.
Familiarity with police accreditation programs.
Background in emergency management training.
Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local criminal laws and the roles of federal, state, and local jurisdictions and authorities as they relate to public safety.
Knowledge of and compliance experience with Title IX regulations, the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, and other applicable laws.
Proficiency with relevant software packages and other technology.
Demonstrated ability to develop automated processes, streamlined services, and live data tools.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree or micro-credential in related fields such as Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Emergency Management, or Higher Education Leadership.
Experience working in a higher education or public sector environment.
Specialized training in active shooter/violent intruder response training.
Documented experience leading campus or municipal-level responses to major incidents, including multi-agency coordination.
Protest & demonstration management including training or experience addressing First Amendment rights, protest mediation, and crowd management that emphasizes de-escalation and non-confrontational engagement.
Experience in designing and leading emergency drills, table-top exercises, and after-action reviews.
Documented skills in threat assessment and behavioral intervention, working with multidisciplinary campus teams to identify and address risks proactively.
Experience building partnerships with police academies, other departments, ROTC programs, community colleges, and workforce pipelines to attract future officers.
Track record of creating comprehensive training programs, including onboarding, continuing education, and specialized campus-specific training.
A Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Instructor certification or facilitation experience in areas such as crisis intervention, de-escalation, and mental health first aid.
Knowledge of and sensitivity to university communities and unique functions such as residential populations and student social events.
Experience supervising employees who work under negotiated union contracts.

Expectations for the Chief of Police Position at SUNY Oneonta

Serve as a transformative, innovative, and collaborative leader with a readiness to try new ideas, approaches, and technologies.
Be aware of trends and national best practices with the ability to successfully integrate these into the department.
Be culturally competent with a true appreciation for diversity, equity, and inclusion with demonstrated experience effectively working with and positively engaging a diverse student population.
Ability to remain steady, calm, and focused during emergency/crisis situations.
Maintain a genuine willingness to work with and for students by actively engaging students in community policing practices, continual open communications, positive daily interactions, and responsiveness to needs and concerns.
Ability to invest the time to know the staff and advocate on their behalf to ensure their needs and concerns are adequately addressed.
The ability to maintain a high degree of visibility and engagement throughout the campus and surrounding community.
Possess a demonstrated ability to work effectively within a unionized environment.
The ability to foster strong partnerships with local, regional, and national law enforcement and first responder agencies.
Possess expertise in related compliance requirements and best practices, including the Clery Act, responses to alcohol and drug issues, bias incidents and hate crimes.

Application Process

Review of applications will begin upon posting and continue until the position is filled. Candidates should submit the following materials for full consideration:

A current résumé.
A position-specific cover letter addressing qualifications and interest.

Please submit materials electronically to: adminteam@cohires.com with the subject line “Chief of Police – SUNY Oneonta.”

All inquiries and nominations will be handled with strict confidentiality.

Equal Opportunity Statement

SUNY Oneonta is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. The university is committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, and ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs and activities without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, or criminal conviction.