Deputy Chief of Police - Bellingham, United States - Western Washington University

Description

Position Title Deputy Chief of Police
About the University
Western Washington University, with over 16,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal community of 90,000 overlooking Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia. Western is the highest-ranking public, master's-granting university in the Pacific Northwest, according to the 2022 U.S. News & World Report rankings.

Western Washington University is committed to achieving excellence through advancing inclusive success, increasing our Washington impact, and focusing on transformational education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and based on innovative scholarship, research, and creative activity. Western's greatest strength is the outstanding students, faculty, staff, and alumni/ae who make up its community. Western supports an inclusive governance structure for all and provides a learning and working environment in which everyone can thrive. In pursuit of this excellence, individual employees are expected to establish and maintain productive and effective inclusive working relationships amongst diverse populations including staff, faculty, administration, student, and external constituents. Further, individual employees are expected to have the ability to operationalize sustainability concepts (economic, societal, environmental) into all aspects of performing their job duties.

About the Department The Western Washington University Police Department supports Western's mission, which states that together with our students, staff, and faculty, we are committed to making a positive impact in the state and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement. We encourage applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and other candidates from underrepresented backgrounds and with diverse experiences interested in this opportunity.
About the Position
The Deputy Chief of Police (Deputy Chief) serves as second in command of the Western Washington University Police Department with responsibility for managing daily patrol operations and police services of the department. This includes the responsibility for the preservation of peace, protection of life and property, and the enforcement of laws and regulations in a manner that provides a safe and secure educational environment for the University.

Due to the nature of the areas of responsibility, this position involves discretionary decision making and planning to ensure a positive impact on the reputation and image of the University. The position is highly visible and expected to affirmatively represent the University when interacting with law enforcement and other allied agencies, community groups, students, parents, and University visitors.

Compliance with University policies and procedures, state laws and state regulations are required to successfully accomplish the duties of this position.

The Deputy Chief assists the Assistant Vice President for Safety and Security / WWU Chief of Police (AVP-Chief) with long-range planning, budget preparation, and collective bargaining. The Deputy Chief directs all activities of the University Police Department in the absence of the AVP-Chief.

The Deputy Chief plays an integral role in providing a culture of open, transparent leadership in an environment that emphasizes employee engagement, promotes diversity, encourages positive morale, and promotes effective employee mentorship and development within the department. The successful candidate possesses a proven history of high integrity, accountability, including having difficult development conversations with employees when required, and the ability to do the right thing, at the right time, for the right reasons.

Full Position Duties and Responsibilities

Responsible for assisting in the planning, organization, direction, and coordination of the activities of department personnel to ensure safety and security of the University community through the enforcement of laws.
Supervise the patrol functions of the University Police Department; execute departmental policies in accordance with administrative intent. Ensure there is patrol coverage and review alternative schedules as needed. Assign patrol personnel duties, which may include crime prevention, research, training. Review police reports for accuracy, timeliness, and completeness. Approve reports for dissemination to other departments or outside agencies.
Oversee the development of departmental standard operating procedures and work towards accreditation for the department. Develop highly effective crime prevention strategies and response protocols to enhance safety and security at WWU.
Enforce local, state, and university laws and regulations; provide advice and assist subordinates in highly complex criminal investigations.
Manage the planning and coverage of major special events on University property. Patrol the main campus jurisdictions and respond to calls for service as needed.
When needed, assume direct command of forces in emergency situations or major law enforcement operations. Work collaboratively with local, state, and/or federal partners.
Receive and process inquiries, internal investigations and commendations in a manner mandated by local, state, and federal laws, as well as university and department policies and procedures.
Assist in the development of training programs, provide educational presentations for other departments as requested, attend staff meetings and community meetings.
Complete annual evaluations of subordinates.
Under general direction of the AVP-Chief, develop and administer the University Police Department budget. Working with the Assistant to the AVP-Chief, maintain fiscal control over expenditures, including purchasing of equipment and supplies, security and maintenance of equipment and assets, and oversight of contracts for services. Ensure maintenance of appropriate financial records including accounts receivable, accounts payable, and payroll. Recommend financial policy and fiscal measures.
Supervise, manage, direct, evaluate, develop, and discipline University Police Department staff directly or through subordinate supervisors.
In compliance with law, policy, and University Police labor agreements, oversee internal investigations of alleged employee misconduct including fact-finding and analysis. Recommend disciplinary action.
Review and approve employee records, departmental statistical reports, and personnel action forms.
Participate in WWU committees as appropriate.
Foster collaborative working relationships by creating a culture of care and open accountability within a highly diverse university culture.
Maintain effective collaborative and proactive relationships with local, state, and federal agencies, as well as other colleges and universities.
In partnership with the AVP-Chief, work towards ensuring WWU Police Department policies and procedures are up to date and in line with WASPC and/or ICALEA accreditation.
Prepare operational reports and analyses regarding progress, trends, and appropriate recommendations as needed.
Assist in the preparation of the University Police Department budget and budget requests, budget planning, and ensure the efficient use of funds.
Prepare and manage the submission of any departmental grant requests.
Perform other duties as directed.
Required Qualifications
Graduate of an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree plus a minimum of five (5) years of experience in a supervisory capacity in law enforcement; OR High school diploma or GED, plus a minimum of seven (7) years of experience in a supervisory capacity in law enforcement administration. Equivalency can be used in substitution for a degree, but cannot be used where there are legal requirements, such as license/certification/registration.
State of Washington commissioned officer or able to obtain commission status through the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission within one (1) year of employment.
Working knowledge of police management policies and practices including legal, technical, organizational aspects, as well as sources of current information of the field. Law enforcement procedures, labor agreements, federal, state, and local pertinent law enforcement and administrative regulations. Federal, state, and local criminal law and regulations.
Ability to qualify in firearms safety, including meeting WWU Police Department firearms qualification standards, and the ability to meet department qualification standards with a department-issued firearm within thirty (30) days of hire and subsequent qualifications.
Ability to maintain the physical ability to perform essential functions of a police officer.
Demonstrated interest in best practices through self-improvement by taking advantage of educational opportunities in new laws, innovative administrative practices, and modern police sciences.
Demonstrated leadership with establishing and maintaining positive working relationships with various constituent groups, the public, and governmental authorities.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively and sensitively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Demonstrated ability to plan, research and coordinate within a complex organization, and to develop and write policies.
Demonstrated ability to effectively supervise a large number of people and projects, and to train, develop and mentor employees.
Demonstrated integrity and high personal standards of conduct, and the ability to maintain confidentiality on sensitive cases and projects.
Demonstrated ability to prepare and effectively present both oral and written information concerning the activities and operations within the department.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience with collaboration between law enforcement and mental health providers in developing a compassionate and effective response to persons in crisis.
Preferred Qualifications
Master's Degree.
Graduate of Northwestern University's School of Police Staff and Command, the FBI National Academy, or similar type executive training program.
Experience in higher education policing.
Working knowledge of public safety related software/applications.
Working knowledge of budget development and control, including monitoring expenditures, making projections, and preparing budget documents.
Successful completion of Clery Act Compliance Training Academy or similar 40-hour Clery Act compliance course.
Certification in the National Incident Management System (NIMS) including but not limited to: ICS 100, ICS 200, ICS 300, and ICS 400.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment
Employment is contingent upon passing a criminal convictions check, background investigation, polygraph examination, and fingerprinting. Subject to re-check every five years.

Sworn law enforcement position: State law requires U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident, basic certification or eligibility for equivalency from the Washington Criminal Justice Training Commission.

Salary
Hiring range for position is $135,898 - $156,282/year. Through longevity position tops out at $176,667/year.