Chief of Police - Cal State Long Beach

Another Source • Long Beach, CA

4h • $230,000 - $250,000 • Onsite

About The Position

California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) is seeking a Chief of Police to lead a team of approximately 35 sworn and non-sworn professionals and continue advancing a community- and service-focused approach to campus safety. This is an opportunity for a thoughtful, strategic law enforcement leader who understands that policing in higher education is about more than enforcement—it’s about building trust, exercising sound discretion, de-escalating challenges, and creating strong partnerships with students, faculty, staff, and the broader community. This highly visible role partners with leaders across the institution and the CSU Chancellor's Office to advance a safe, welcoming, and engaged campus community. The Chief of Police provides executive leadership and daily management for CSULB’s comprehensive law enforcement and crime prevention programs. The Chief serves as the university's senior advisor on law enforcement, public safety, emergency management, risk mitigation, regulatory compliance, traffic management, and crime prevention. This role has significant reach across the institution, working closely with the President, Vice President of Administration and Finance, Student Affairs leadership, campus executives, the Chancellor's Office, regional law enforcement agencies, community organizations, and members of the public. The position also serves as a critical-incident commander during major emergencies and disasters and plays an active role in university governance and campus planning. The Chief directly oversees leaders responsible for Field Services, Support Services, emergency operations, and administrative services, leading a team of approximately 35 sworn and non-sworn personnel. The Chief is accountable for ensuring the department’s people, policies, resources, training, and operations meet professional, legal, CSU, and campus standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university with a major in a related field.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible law enforcement or public safety administration experience, including seven years in a management capacity.
• Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Supervisory, and Management certification from the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).
• Successful completion of a POST Executive Training Course, or the ability to qualify for and complete the certificate/coursework requirements within the first year of employment.
• Thorough understanding of relevant legal issues, including legislation, judicial review, liability trends, and local, state, and federal laws applicable to university law enforcement.
• Working knowledge across law enforcement operations, facility security, crime prevention, criminal investigations, training, emergency preparedness, traffic safety and enforcement, and related safety standards.
• Understanding of crime awareness and reporting requirements, including the Jeanne Clery Act and related provisions of the Higher Education Opportunity Act.
• Experience with budget and personnel administration, including work within a collective bargaining environment.
• Strong executive, administrative, organizational, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate and build productive relationships within a culturally diverse university community and collaborate effectively with other department and institutional leaders.
• Valid California driver's license and ability to meet applicable CSU driving requirements.
• Ability to qualify with a firearm in accordance with state and departmental regulations.
• Ability to successfully complete the police background, medical, psychological, and other screening requirements applicable to a sworn peace officer position under California law and POST requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced or graduate-level education is highly desirable.
• Graduation from an advanced law enforcement leadership program, such as the FBI National Academy or California POST Command College, is also desirable.
• Experience with a university-based law enforcement agency or similarly complex organization.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership for University Police operations, including Field Services, Support Services, Dispatch Communications, crime prevention, criminal investigations, the K9 program, traffic safety and enforcement, facility security, emergency preparedness, training, technology, finance, budget, and human resources.
• Serve as a strategic public-safety advisor to the President, Vice President of Administration and Finance, and other university executives, providing guidance on campus safety, emergency management, risk mitigation, compliance, and law enforcement operations.
• Lead the department's fiscal and administrative operations, establishing budget priorities and responsibly managing resources in support of university and departmental goals.
• Serve as a trusted public-safety advisor and law enforcement partner to the CSU Chancellor’s Office and Chancellor, including providing security services for Board of Trustees meetings and advising on related safety and security matters.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with Chancellor’s Office leadership and staff, reflecting CSULB University Police’s broader responsibility within the CSU system.
• Maintain an effective policy and internal accountability framework, regularly reviewing departmental practices and adapting operations in response to changes in legislation, judicial review, liability trends, professional standards, and CSU requirements.
• Ensure required reports and records are maintained for federal and state agencies, the CSU Chancellor's Office, and the university.
• Oversee departmental security operations and periodically evaluate practices to ensure alignment with applicable professional standards.
• Partner with the Office of Strategic Communications on public-safety matters and communications.
• Serve as critical-incident commander during major emergencies and disasters, providing leadership during the response as well as after-action reporting, recommendations, and guidance.
• Build trusted relationships across the campus and surrounding community, including government leaders, regional law enforcement agencies, community and neighborhood organizations, and CSU leadership.
• Participate actively in university governance and committees, including groups focused on behavioral intervention, Clery compliance, policy, and campus planning, and serve as an advisor to the President's Executive Cabinet.
• Serve as a key liaison to Student Affairs on sensitive student-related matters and help strengthen the partnership between University Police and the campus community.
• Develop educational and crime-prevention programming that empowers departments and employees to contribute to their own safety and security.
• Lead employee development and ensure University Police personnel maintain required credentials, training, and professional standards.
• Provide direct supervision, coaching, and leadership to departmental personnel and establish expectations for ongoing training and professional development.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned, including fulfilling Campus Security Authority obligations under the Clery Act and applicable CSU requirements.

Benefits

• Relocation assistance is available.
• Comprehensive benefits package designed to meet you where you are at in life and typically adds 30-35% to your total compensation package.
• Emphasis on maintaining a healthy work-life balance with ample PTO and flexibility, which includes up to 24 vacation days per year (based on employee group/services).
• Access to athletic and gym facilities, renowned sporting events, artist events, and world-renowned speakers.
• Numerous professional development opportunities to advance your career, including tuition assistance for yourself.
• Three different retirement plans catered to fit your personal saving goals: CalPERS Retirement Plan, 457 (b) Deferred Compensation Plan or 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plan (Similar to a 401k plan).
• Medical benefits tailored to support various life stages.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive