University Police Officer

Title: University Police Officer Executive Area: Student Affairs & Campus Life College/School/MBU: University Police Department Department: Police Operations Work Location: Amherst Schedule: Full Time Work Arrangement: Onsite Job Summary University Police Officers serve as multi‑skilled professionals performing the full spectrum of law enforcement, investigation, and emergency services. The primary duty is enforcement of all applicable state and local laws, university traffic rules, and regulations. Officers identify, apprehend, and detain individuals suspected of violations, provide education, preserve public peace, protect life and property, and assist the community. Essential Functions Exercise police powers under Massachusetts General Law to prevent, deter, and detect violations of criminal and motor vehicle laws. Ensure public safety through enforcement and education. Direct and control pedestrian and motor vehicle traffic; enforce university traffic and parking rules; issue traffic citations. Patrol university properties and adjacent areas via marked, semi‑marked, or unmarked police cars, motorcycles, bicycles, horses, ATVs, and on foot. Aid and assist all persons in danger of physical harm or victims of crime, accidents, or illness. Maintain order at public assemblies, protests, marches, concerts, sporting events, and other special events. Respond to civil disorder, civil disobedience, riots, and large crowd situations; perform crowd control tactics. Conduct preliminary and follow‑up investigations into routine and complex offenses, misdemeanors and felonies. Apply investigative and interrogatory techniques when interviewing suspects, witnesses, and victims. Prepare, write, and execute search and arrest warrants. Conduct investigatory searches of persons, places, and property in compliance with law and policy. Prepare criminal complaints, legal paperwork, and interpret court decisions, briefs, and judicial opinions. Identify criminal offenders and make apprehensions by complaint or arrest as permitted by law. Detain and restrain criminal suspects, hostile or mentally distressed individuals per department policy. Mediates disputes; intervene in domestic violence and psychiatric crisis cases; refer victims and witnesses to appropriate agencies. Testify in criminal courts and other judicial or administrative hearings. Investigate motor vehicle, pedestrian, and industrial accidents, including serious injury and fatal accidents or suicides, in conjunction with the Massachusetts State Police. Catalog, secure, and maintain evidence; maintain lost, found, and seized property per chain of custody requirements. Prepare notes, reports, logs, photo documents, and other electronic documents to record significant events. Utilize computers and software such as MS Office, Excel, IMC, Fusion, and surveillance camera systems. Operate handheld, vehicle‑mounted, and computer‑based audio and visual recording devices, including cameras and surveillance equipment. Inspect and maintain specialized equipment: breath testers, electronic fingerprint identification systems, automated external defibrillators, RADAR, and LIDAR traffic speed devices. Maintain proficiency with firearms and specialty munitions. Perform dignitary protection, plain‑clothes patrol, undercover, and other covert operations as assigned. Prepare for and respond to mass casualty incidents, hostage situations, active shooter/terrorist threats, biological and chemical spills, or any threat to the community. Secure and search all detainees before transport to the station; conduct inspection of detention facilities. Plan and direct training programs for probationary officers, veteran officers, inter‑agency partners, and community groups. Serve on inter‑agency task forces, special operations, work groups, or committees. Participate in multi‑jurisdictional assignments: warrant service, investigations, OUI roadblocks, community outreach operations. Perform emergency first aid, CPR, Narcan, Epi‑pen, and AED therapy per medical guidelines and department policies. Arrive punctually to all shift and overtime assignments. Assist campus businesses with escort of funds to depository and at campus events. Assist the public with directions, information, or assistance; make referrals to outside agencies when appropriate. Remain knowledgeable and comply with departmental policies, procedures, rules, and regulations in accordance with state law and accreditation standards. Conduct detailed background investigations for new hires using established procedures. Supervise Police Officers, Dispatchers, Police Cadets, and Student Security Monitors when acting as officer‑in‑charge. Other Functions Perform ancillary and additional duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications At least 21 years old at time of hire. Eligible to be a police officer in Massachusetts. No felony or criminal convictions as required by law. Current valid driver’s license. Physical ability to perform duties required of a police officer. Strong oral and written communication skills. Successful completion of a CORI check. Successful completion of oral board interviews and oral interview with Chief of Police. Successful completion of a medical examination. Successful completion of the Physical Agility Testing (PAT) process. Recommendation following psychological evaluation. Successful completion of background investigation process (criminal, personal, financial inquiries). Ability to work in all weather conditions, shift/squad assignments, and holidays as necessary. Ability to follow written and verbal instructions. Entry Level Police Officer Qualifications Associate’s degree or 60 credits toward a Bachelor’s degree at an accredited institution (transcripts required). OR high school graduate with 4 years of uninterrupted military service (DD‑214, Member 4 Copy required). OR high school graduate with successful completion of the Massachusetts Correction Officer Training Academy and 1 year of post‑academy experience. Valid graduate certificate from a police academy approved by the Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC) acquired on the job. Lateral Police Officer Qualifications Valid graduate certificate from a police academy approved by the MPTC. High school graduate or equivalent. OR 4 years of uninterrupted military service (DD‑214, Member 4 Copy required). Potential Physical Demands Extended periods of outdoor work in temperatures from below freezing to over 100°F. Access to all campus areas requiring physical agility; endurance; strength for lifting and carrying items up to 50+ pounds. Exposure to hazardous environments, dangerous individuals, and infectious diseases. Use of personal protective equipment; potential discomfort or inconvenience. Stateful military or emergency incident responses requiring high physical and mental stamina. Required Certifications and Training Valid graduate certificate from a police academy approved by the MPTC. Massachusetts Class A License to Carry a firearm. First Responder/CPR/AED/Narcan and Epi‑pen certifications. Other mandatory annual trainings per department policy or MPTC. Working Conditions Hazardous environments, extreme temperatures, infectious disease exposure. Protective equipment use and high physical stamina required. Work Schedule and Work Arrangement Shift and hours vary: 4 days on, 2 days off (40 hours per week). Required to work nights and weekends as needed. Salary Information Pay Grade: NEPBA Grade 16. Classified Step Scale available. Special Instructions: This position may remain open until filled. This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early. #J-18808-Ljbffr