Associate Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police

Towson University•Towson, MD

22d

About The Position

The Associate Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates Public Safety operations; establishes departmental priorities; and collaborates with the Counseling Center to support the Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) in serving the campus community. The role provides leadership for personnel, departmental policies and procedures, compliance, budgeting, procurement, property management, and operational reporting. It also participates in institutional leadership and builds collaborative relationships with campus stakeholders and external law enforcement partners to align public safety operations with university priorities and strategic goals. The successful candidate is a visible, accessible, and service-oriented leader who can foster a safe, welcoming, and supportive campus environment. The position calls for significant sworn law enforcement leadership and operational experience, sound judgment under pressure, ethical leadership, and the ability to develop personnel and high-performing teams. The successful candidate will build trust and partnerships, work constructively in a unionized environment, and collaborate with campus, municipal, and other government partners.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, public administration, education, social sciences, or a closely related field.
At least ten years of demonstrated leadership in the law enforcement profession as a sworn officer.
Increasing levels and scope of responsibility, including supervisory experience and management capacity.
Demonstrated emotional intelligence, empathy, and compassion, together with confidence, courage, and sound judgment in making difficult decisions.
Ability to maintain composure and focus under pressure, navigate uncertainty, and manage challenges and crises effectively.
Ability to build trust and partnerships, collaborate, value diverse perspectives, and navigate competing priorities with diplomacy and respect.
Significant law enforcement leadership and operational experience and expertise in contemporary policing practices.
Ability to develop and mentor personnel and build high-performing teams through professional development, empowerment, and accountability.
Integrity, honesty, fairness, transparency, and commitment to ethical conduct, professionalism, and accountability.
Strong interpersonal, organizational, communication, public speaking, and active listening skills are highly desirable.
Demonstrated leadership abilities that foster accountability, teamwork, professional development, and positive working relationships across the university community.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Experience working in or with a college or university campus safety environment.
Experience working effectively in a unionized environment and fostering constructive labor-management relationships.
Completion of a recognized law enforcement executive leadership program, such as the FBI National Academy or a comparable program.
Knowledge of best practices in community policing, campus security, crime prevention, education and training, and program assessment.
Proven record of collaborating with campus and municipal stakeholders to address safety concerns and student behaviors.

Responsibilities

Plan, organize, direct, and evaluate Public Safety operations and establish departmental priorities.
Collaborate with the Counseling Center to support the Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) in serving the campus community.
Oversee personnel management, staffing, training, professional development, performance evaluation, and disciplinary matters.
Provide guidance on hiring, promotions, and assignments, and serve as the Step One Hearing Officer for formal employee grievances.
Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures, including accurate and timely Clery Act reporting and administration of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).
Develop, review, and implement policies, procedures, and regulations governing departmental operations and administration.
Oversee the Public Safety budget, procurement activities, and property management, ensuring fiscal responsibility and effective resource allocation.
Direct preparation of financial, strategic, operational, and other reports for senior leadership.
Participate in institutional leadership meetings to align Public Safety with university priorities and strategic goals.
Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with key stakeholders, including campus shared governance groups, to support communication and alignment with operational and strategic objectives.
Maintain partnerships with allied law enforcement agencies and local, state, and federal partners to support coordinated public safety initiatives.
Develop and mentor personnel, cultivate emerging leaders, and build high-performing teams through professional development, empowerment, and accountability.
Foster a safe, welcoming, and supportive campus environment through visible, accessible, responsive, and service-oriented leadership.