Chief of Police

University of California, Irvine•Irvine, CA

About The Position

Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide. To learn more about UC Irvine, visit www.uci.edu. The University of California, Irvine Police Department (UCIPD) is a full-service, 24-hour law enforcement agency providing professional policing and public safety services 365 days a year. UCIPD serves a daily population of more than 65,000 people across the University's Irvine campus, UCI Langston Orange County Museum of Art (Costa Mesa), and UCI Health locations in the City of Orange, Irvine, Fountain Valley, Lakewood, Los Alamitos, and Placentia. UCIPD provides comprehensive law enforcement services, including patrol, traffic enforcement, criminal investigations, community engagement, crime prevention and suppression, emergency management, and general public safety services. As a designated 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), UCIPD is responsible for receiving and dispatching emergency calls for service within its jurisdiction, ensuring rapid and coordinated responses to police, fire, and medical emergencies. UCIPD personnel are dedicated to protecting and serving students, staff, faculty, patients, and visitors, while responding to medical emergencies, crimes in progress, general calls for service, and other campus and medical center safety concerns. Your Role on the Team Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer and Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration, the Chief of Police provides strategic leadership and overall management of the UCI Police Department, a fully sworn and accredited law enforcement agency comprised of approximately 300 employees. The Chief is responsible for administering a $35 million operating budget and overseeing approximately $1.5 million in equipment assets. The Chief of Police manages a 24/7/365 operation that includes Patrol, Administration, Investigations, Emergency Management, and the UCI Health Public Safety Division. The Chief represents the Police Department to the campus community, UCI Langston Orange County Museum of Art, an and the UCI Health Public Safety Division—including Orange, Irvine, Fountain Valley, Lakewood, Placentia-Linda, and Los Alamitos—neighboring communities, and external law enforcement agencies. This role includes active participation on campus committees and collaborative partnerships focused on planning and preparing for campus safety and security. The Chief of Police must successfully pass an extensive background investigation, including criminal history, identity verification, and medical and psychological examinations. The position requires on-call availability 24/7/365 and maintenance of a valid California driver’s license with a clean DMV record. This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) and is required to report crimes, incidents, and disciplinary referral statistics in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (20 U.S.C. § 1092(f)). Additionally, this role is considered a mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), Penal Code §§ 11164–11174.3, and must comply with all requirements set forth in University of California CANRA policy.

Requirements

Highly experienced sworn peace officer with demonstrated success record of performing Police Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain/ Commander functions in a complex organization, preferably within a university or comparable public-sector environment.
Advanced knowledge of law, regulations, University policy, and California statutory and case law, including civil liability, labor law, and personnel administration relevant to a police department.
Advanced knowledge of modern policing practices, community policing principles, law enforcement management theory, administrative standards, and budgeting/financial practices applicable to a university police department.
Highly experienced ability to independently manage a large, complex organization, deploy personnel and resources, and make sound, timely decisions in high-risk and high-impact situations.
Highly experienced ability to supervise, train, mentor, and develop staff, emphasizing accountability, teamwork, communication, and continuous improvement.
Exceptional leadership skills with highly effective written and oral communication abilities, including the ability to credibly represent the department to campus leadership, internal constituents, and external law enforcement partners.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, senior administrators, residents, visitors, and municipal, county, state, and federal agencies.
Excellent analytical and strategic planning skills, with the ability to evaluate complex issues, develop solutions, and ensure alignment with UCI goals, values, policies, and law enforcement standards.
Extensive knowledge of the use and legal application of firearms, police weapons, equipment, and tools, consistent with POST standards.
Maintains required training and knowledge of Incident Command System (ICS) operations and meets NIMS emergency management requirements.
Highly experienced ability to utilize law enforcement technologies and computer systems.
Unquestionable personal and professional ethics and adherence to Law Enforcement Codes of Conduct.
Ability to safely operate motor vehicles and possession of a valid California Driver’s License.
Ability to successfully complete other training or prerequisites as required by regulation, law or policy.
Extensive experience as a captain, lieutenant or other sworn police manager required.
May be required to hold valid driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.
Possession of a POST Management certificate or its equivalent, along with successful completion of the probationary period as a rank equivalent to a Captain/Commander.
Sworn peace officer with California POST Advanced and Management certifications, or equivalent certifications with the ability to obtain California POST certification within one year.
A minimum of 10 years of experienceof progressively responsible supervisory and managerial law enforcement experience, including leading and managing a diverse workforce.
Required to hold a valid drivers license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.
Must be able to provide proof of work authorization