Chief of Police

CHIEF OF POLICE

Southern University at New Orleans Police Department

Southern University at New Orleans

POSITION DETAILS

Employment Category: Full-time, unclassified administrative officer

FLSA Classification: Exempt (salaried)

Base Salary Range: $70,000-$80,000 annually

Reports To: Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance

Supervisory Responsibility: Supervises sworn officers, communications personnel, and assigned public-safety personnel

Travel: Frequent local travel and occasional overnight or professional travel

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Chief of Police is the senior law-enforcement official for Southern University at New Orleans and provides executive leadership, strategic direction, and administrative oversight for the Southern University at New Orleans Police Department. The Chief is responsible for maintaining a safe, secure, professional, and inclusive campus environment that supports the University's academic mission, student success, and community values.

The Chief directs patrol, investigations, communications, emergency management, crime prevention, parking enforcement, Clery compliance, and other public-safety services. The position establishes standards of accountability, promotes constitutional and community-oriented policing, develops strong partnerships with the campus and surrounding community, and ensures departmental practices comply with applicable law, accreditation standards, and Southern University System and University policies.

LOUISIANA LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER SUPPLEMENTAL PAY

In addition to the stated base salary, an eligible full-time commissioned law-enforcement officer employed by a Louisiana public postsecondary education institution may receive state supplemental pay of $600 per month under Louisiana Revised Statutes 40:1667.1 and the Louisiana Department of Public Safety Supplemental Pay Program. Eligibility generally requires completion of at least one year of qualifying full-time service and satisfaction of applicable Peace Officer Standards and Training requirements, statutory criteria, application requirements, and program approval.

Supplemental pay is administered and funded by the State of Louisiana, is separate from the University base salary, and is not guaranteed solely by appointment to this position. The employee is responsible for timely submission of required documentation, with institutional assistance as applicable. Eligibility and continued payment remain subject to current law, available appropriations, certification, qualifying service, and approval by the state Supplemental Pay Program. Applications are processed through the State of Louisiana SuMPAY portal.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Executive Leadership and Administration

• Direct all University Police Department operations, including patrol, investigations, communications, emergency management, crime prevention, parking enforcement, and related public-safety functions.
• Develop, implement, review, and enforce departmental policies, procedures, general orders, strategic priorities, performance standards, and accountability measures.
• Manage departmental budgets, staffing plans, duty assignments, equipment, vehicles, technology, contracts, and other resources effectively and transparently.
• Advise the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance, and other senior leaders regarding campus safety, emergency readiness, crime trends, risk, and resource needs.
• Prepare required reports and ensure accurate and timely administrative, operational, financial, and compliance records.

Law Enforcement Operations and Accountability

• Establish professional standards for constitutional policing, arrests, investigations, evidence handling, use of force, report writing, records management, and complaint review.
• Ensure prompt, impartial, and appropriately documented reviews or investigations of allegations involving departmental personnel, conflicts of interest, misconduct, or policy violations.
• Monitor crime, incident, response, staffing, and service data and use the results to improve deployment, prevention, training, and departmental performance.
• Ensure officers maintain required commissions, licenses, Peace Officer Standards and Training certification, firearms qualifications, and continuing education.
• Maintain accreditation readiness and coordinate periodic reviews of departmental policies, practices, records, and corrective actions.

Community Engagement and Campus Service

• Promote community policing grounded in dignity, respect, discretion, transparency, education, and collaborative problem solving.
• Build trust and productive relationships with students, faculty, staff, alumni, visitors, neighborhood residents, and community organizations.
• Lead crime-prevention, safety-awareness, training, and outreach programs responsive to campus needs.
• Represent the Police Department on University committees, public-safety advisory groups, task forces, and community partnerships.
• Ensure students, employees, and visitors can readily access police services, emergency assistance, reporting options, safety information, and crisis support.

Compliance and Institutional Coordination

• Ensure compliance with applicable federal and state law, including the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, Title IX coordination requirements, FERPA, and public-records obligations.
• Oversee preparation and timely submission of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report and maintenance of the daily crime log and other required records.
• Coordinate appropriately with Human Resources, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Title IX and ADA personnel, emergency management, facilities, information technology, legal counsel, and other University offices.
• Establish and maintain effective operational partnerships and mutual-aid relationships with local, parish, state, federal, and neighboring campus law-enforcement agencies.
• Protect confidential and law-enforcement-sensitive information while supporting lawful transparency and institutional reporting.

Emergency Management and Crisis Response

• Serve as Incident Commander or designated law-enforcement leader during emergencies, critical incidents, major events, and campus disruptions.
• Develop, maintain, and exercise emergency-response, continuity-of-operations, evacuation, severe-weather, disaster-preparedness, and recovery plans.
• Coordinate emergency planning, notifications, drills, exercises, after-action reviews, and corrective actions with University leadership and external emergency partners.
• Remain available to respond to significant incidents at any time, including nights, weekends, holidays, and campus closures.

Personnel Leadership and Development

• Recruit, select, assign, supervise, evaluate, coach, and develop sworn officers, communications personnel, security personnel, and other assigned employees.
• Maintain an effective chain of command, clearly defined authority, consistent supervision, appropriate staffing coverage, and timely internal communication.
• Promote ethical conduct, impartial enforcement, professional judgment, employee wellness, succession planning, and continuous improvement.
• Address performance and conduct concerns promptly and consistently in coordination with Human Resources and in accordance with applicable policy and law.
• Perform other related duties consistent with the position as assigned.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT

The Chief exercises substantial independent judgment in directing law-enforcement operations, allocating resources, responding to emergencies, assessing threats, establishing operational priorities, and recommending institutional safety measures. Decisions must remain consistent with law, policy, accreditation requirements, delegated authority, due process, and the University chain of command. Matters involving significant institutional risk, executive policy, major personnel action, legal exposure, or material financial commitments must be elevated to the appropriate University authority.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Chief provides executive supervision for all assigned University Police Department personnel. Responsibilities include establishing the chain of command; assigning and reviewing work; setting performance standards; evaluating employees; directing training and professional development; recommending hiring, promotion, discipline, and separation actions; approving schedules and leave consistent with operational needs; and ensuring continuous public-safety coverage.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, public administration, emergency management, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• At least ten years of progressively responsible law-enforcement experience, including at least five years in a supervisory or command-level role.
• Current certification by the Louisiana Peace Officer Standards and Training Council or eligibility for immediate reciprocity and timely Louisiana certification.
• Demonstrated experience in emergency management, crisis response, community policing, personnel leadership, policy administration, and interagency coordination.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal higher-education public-safety compliance requirements, including the Clery Act, Title IX coordination, and FERPA.
• Valid driver's license and ability to meet all legal and institutional requirements for appointment and service as a commissioned law-enforcement officer.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree in criminal justice, public administration, homeland security, emergency management, or a related discipline.
• Command-level experience in higher education or campus law enforcement.
• Advanced executive law-enforcement training, such as the FBI National Academy, Southern Police Institute, or a comparable program.
• Experience leading an accredited law-enforcement agency and administering Clery compliance, emergency management, professional standards, and community-engagement programs.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

• Exceptional leadership, command judgment, integrity, decisiveness, accountability, and interpersonal skills.
• Comprehensive knowledge of contemporary policing, investigations, emergency management, crisis response, public-safety technology, accreditation, and data-informed practices.
• Working knowledge of the Clery Act, Title IX coordination, FERPA, Louisiana law, Peace Officer Standards and Training requirements, and other legal obligations affecting campus policing.
• Ability to build an inclusive, service-oriented safety culture and communicate effectively with diverse campus and community constituencies.
• Strong oral and written communication, public speaking, policy development, report writing, budget management, and organizational skills.
• Commitment to community policing, student success, ethical service, and the mission and values of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND TRAVEL

Work is performed in professional office, campus, patrol, emergency, event, and community settings. The position involves exposure to inclement weather, emotionally charged interactions, emergencies, crime scenes, hazardous conditions, and other risks associated with law-enforcement leadership. The Chief must be available outside regular business hours and may be recalled to duty at any time.

The position requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, climb stairs, drive, communicate clearly, use a computer and law-enforcement communications equipment, and remain active for extended periods. The employee must be able to respond to emergency situations and lift or carry equipment or materials weighing up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation, while meeting any essential statutory or certification requirements applicable to a commissioned officer.

Frequent local travel and occasional overnight or professional travel are required for emergency response, meetings, training, conferences, interagency coordination, and University business.

ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of all University-required screenings and verification of credentials, certifications, driving eligibility, and legal authority to perform the duties of a commissioned officer. The employee must maintain all required certifications, qualifications, and continuing education throughout employment.

BENEFITS

Eligible employees may participate in health-insurance benefits offered through the Louisiana Office of Group Benefits and retirement benefits through the Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System. Dental and vision coverage is available through UNUM. Eligible positions also receive paid time off and University-observed holidays in accordance with applicable policies. Benefit eligibility, employee contributions, plan options, and coverage are governed by the terms of the applicable plans and University policy.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants should submit all required application materials through the Southern University at New Orleans employment application process. Applications must clearly demonstrate that the applicant meets the required education, experience, certification, and eligibility requirements.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND NON DISCRIMINATION

Southern University at New Orleans is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on any status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law in employment and University-administered programs and activities.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT STATEMENT

Southern University at New Orleans complies with applicable federal and state disability laws and provides reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees. Individuals needing an accommodation during the application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, or to access employment benefits should contact the Office of Human Resources.

STATE AS A MODEL EMPLOYER

Louisiana is a State as a Model Employer that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.