Chief of Police

Deadline

Full-Time:  Review of application date will be November 27, 2023.

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SUMMARY

Southern University at Shreveport, Louisiana (SUSLA) is accepting applications for Chief of Police. SUSLA is a comprehensive community college serving Shreveport, Bossier City, and surrounding areas in Northwest Louisiana.  It is one of five campuses constituting the Historically Black Southern University System.  The University serves approximately 3,000 undergraduate students and offers 32 undergraduate degrees and certificate programs in a variety of fields including Allied Health, Nursing, Aerospace Technology, Business Studies, Behavioral Science/Education and Science & Technology.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration, the Chief of Police provides leadership, strategic direction and management for the effective administration of the police department for a multi-campus institution.  The Chief of Police is responsible for maintaining the security and safety of Southern University – Shreveport property, facilities, employees, students and visitors. The Chief shall coordinate effective programs that include all aspects of campus safety, traffic management on university property, fire prevention, emergency management, and associated training programs.

Specific duties are:

• Manages and supervises police/security personnel - conducts and coordinates on-going police/security training and evaluation
• Organizes, directs and evaluates all departmental activities including strategic planning, budgeting, maintaining accurate records of criminal incidents, accidents, safety problems and vehicle registration
• Monitors daily logs to ensure accuracy and compliance with Federal and State regulations
• Reports to Facilities Management any safety issues and concerns on campus
• Maintains effective communication with Student Services personnel and provides regular security and safety education programs for students
• Maintains effective communication with Remote Centers as it relates to security and safety issues; providing timely resources and education programs to improve security and safety awareness
• Responsible for overseeing emergency management initiatives and maintains effective communication with the campus community as it relates to campus security and safety issues and provides timely resources and educational programs to improve campus security and safety awareness (includes coordinating regular drills: fire, weather-related, safety, etc.)
• Conducts investigations involving safety and security related matters
• Oversees general maintenance of all equipment for the campus police department
• Coordinates all security and safety needs related to special events held on campus
• Maintains appropriate relationships with City, County and State law enforcement agencies, fire and EMS personnel
• Organize, develop, and publish the yearly Campus Crime Statistics and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act) and maintain an accurate understanding with Federal guidelines
• Trains and evaluates college police officers relating to performance of their job duties
• Ability to analyze problems and situations and quickly determine effective and reasonable courses of action using tact and diplomacy. Promotes activities that reflect best practices in law enforcement and public safety
• Liaison with external law enforcement and emergency service entities such as the police and fire departments; and participation in investigations of civil and criminal cases as required by law and the college
• Experience in building cooperative working relationships with a wide range of constituencies and experience in the development of new service or programmatic initiatives in conjunction with other areas outside of immediate department; a working knowledge of National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) protocols, and experience in developing emergency operation plans and Incident Action Plans are required
• Ability to interact effectively with diverse populations in a positive and empowering manner; strong written, verbal, and group communication skills; organizational and management skills including budget management, strategic planning, evaluation and assessment, time management, marketing, statistical analysis; and problem solving
• Participates in the development of annual police budget; monitors and tracks division expenses; identify alternative funding streams for the department
• Provides direction for the safety and security of SUSLA college personnel, students and others using institutional facilities and grounds
• Areas of emphasis may include planning and implementing effective safety procedures, management of hazardous chemicals, monitoring of interior and exterior facilities and daily operational procedures of college police division
• Directs proper investigation and follow-up of crimes, misdemeanors, infractions of college policies, safety hazards, and motor vehicle accidents
• Must have excellent interpersonal skills due to constant interaction with individuals at all levels within the college community network and the ability to deal with irrational situations where the outcome in unpredictable
• Develops rules, regulations, procedures, and policies applicable to campus policing
• Collaborates with the Chief Administrative/Operations Officer and Cabinet administrators in the development and implementation of plans, strategies, goals and objectives for the college and prepares reports to assist with college planning and decision-making
• Regularly attends seminars, special conferences and professional meetings as time and budget permit
• Maintains knowledge in profession through professional publications, articles, books, etc. for best practices on policies, laws and regulations
• Builds and strengthens an environment that fosters creativity, innovation, and professional development among the members of the police department and associated agencies 
• Monitors police department website to ensure information is accurate and current
• Assure department practices comply with local, state, federal and accrediting body (COE, SACSCOC, etc.) regulations
• Evening and weekend work and overnight travel required
• Perform other duties as assigned

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Extensive knowledge of the principles, practices, procedures, techniques, and specialized functions of modern police tactics and methods
• Applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures
• Budgets and inventory control
• Principles and practices of administration, supervision, and training

Demonstrated Ability to:

• To understand and execute the laws, ordinances, SUPD Policy and Procedure
• To understand and execute University Rules and Regulations and Personnel
• Mentor staff and advance a culture of service and collaboration with all campus and system constituencies
• Assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the police department
• Plan and implement new programs within fiscal constraints
• Keep current with, interpret and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures relating to the police department
• Provide effective technical expertise for the police department regulations, and policies
• Apply knowledge of and experience in licensing, compliance, or accreditation processes, specifically related to policing
• Function in a multi-campus/site educational organization to promote the goals of the College
• Effectively use technology and computer software programs, including MS Office
• Organize and manage individual and team projects
• Collect, evaluate and analyze data relating to safety and security functions
• Promote collegiality, staff cohesiveness and the core values of the institution
• Analyze, problem-solve, negotiate and make decisions
• Promote excellence in employees' job performances
• Work collaboratively with other administrative departments and government agencies
• Provide excellent customer service to faculty, staff, current students, prospective students, alumni, business and industry partners, community representatives and other stakeholders
• To work with a diverse population

Skills:

• Excellent written, oral, and presentation skills
• Management, organizational, and supervisory skills
• Superior team-building skills to build trust with others in a rapidly changing environment
• Excellent organization, planning, and prioritization skills are essential

Physical Requirements

Physical capability to effectively use and operate various items of office related equipment, such as, but not limited to, computers, calculator, copier, and fax machine. Some crawling, reaching, handling, sitting, standing, pushing, bending, crawling and pulling. Physical capability to run, walk, and climb over rough and unfamiliar terrain, fences and other obstacles for extended periods of time. Operate motor vehicles for long periods. Control persons resisting arrests.  To move a disabled or combative individual.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or an associate degree and experience that yields the required knowledge, skills and abilities in security management
• Current Louisiana Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification OR eligible for Out-of-State transfer; transfer POST requirements must be satisfied within one year
• Minimum 10 years exemplary law enforcement experience as a licensed peace officer
• Minimum 3 years supervisory and management experience
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills in safety and security management 
• Demonstrated leadership and organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to hire and manage appropriate police/security staff and maintain a 24/7 operation
• Demonstrated customer service skills and the ability to work effectively with people
• Demonstrated ability and skills to conduct investigations that include problem solving, data collection, establishing relevant facts and drawing valid conclusions
• Demonstrated ability to maintain accurate, current and coherent security logs
• Ability to set priorities, meet deadlines and multitask with minimal supervision
• Ability to be detail-oriented
• Demonstrated skills in working with computers, Microsoft Office Suite, Internet resources, security cameras and other equipment routinely used by security personnel
• A strong commitment to and passion for the mission of the comprehensive community college
• Commitment to staff diversity, learning and development
• Eligibility for a Louisiana Driver's License

Preferred Qualifications

• Five (5) years of law enforcement on a college/university campus
• Minimum five (5) years supervisory and management experience within a college/university police department
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to articulate and support Southern University – Shreveport values, Code of Conduct, vision and mission, and university policies and procedures
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills in safety and security management for a university campus
• Knowledge of Federal regulations regarding security and safety for a university campus
• Demonstrated extensive knowledge of and ability to execute all requirements related to Title IX and Clery Act
• Additional certification relevant to police training (i.e., domestic violence, active shooter, etc.)
• An in-depth working knowledge of safety and security rules, regulations and policies of the Southern University System and/or the State of Louisiana, and U.S. Department of Education
• An in-depth working knowledge of national (COE) and regional (SACSCOC) accreditation principles relative to safety and security
• Working experience with Ellucian’s Banner Financial Module or other financial management system

Compensation:

$65,000-$75,000

Type

Full-time

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

The application can be filled out online at the https://www.susla.edu/ApplicationforEmployment. Please attach cover letter, resume, transcript(s), and three references to application.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  Review of application date will be November 27, 2023.

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