Chief of Port Police

South Carolina Ports Authority•Mount Pleasant, SC

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Chief of Port Police serves as the department head for SC Ports' law enforcement, security operations, emergency communications, and access control functions. This position is responsible for the leadership, operational effectiveness, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement of all Port Police activities supporting SC Ports facilities and operations.

Requirements

South Carolina Class I Law Enforcement Certification or ability to obtain as required.
FEMA ICS certifications or ability to obtain within an established timeframe.
TWIC eligibility required.
Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Business Administration, Homeland Security, Emergency Management, or a related field required.
Minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in law enforcement, security, military, transportation, maritime, logistics, industrial operations, emergency management, or a related field.
Minimum of five (5) years of supervisory or command-level leadership experience.
Experience leading both sworn and civilian personnel.
Experience managing budgets, organizational initiatives, and operational improvement efforts.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred.
Experience working within highly regulated environments preferred.
Maritime, transportation, logistics, supply chain, critical infrastructure, or port operations experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Direct and oversee all law enforcement, security operations, dispatch, emergency communications, and access control activities.
Lead departmental planning, workforce development, succession planning, and performance management initiatives.
Establish clear expectations, accountability measures, and performance standards for all departmental personnel.
Foster a culture of professionalism, service, integrity, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Develop future leaders and ensure operational continuity through effective succession planning.
Support the implementation of departmental strategies aligned with SC Ports' strategic objectives and operational priorities.
Develop and manage departmental operating and capital budgets.
Monitor key performance indicators and implement process improvements to enhance operational effectiveness.
Evaluate staffing models, deployment practices, technology investments, and resource utilization to ensure efficient service delivery.
Partner with terminal operations and business leaders to develop practical security solutions that support safe and efficient cargo movement.
Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, and security requirements.
Lead implementation and maintenance of Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) requirements, Facility Security Plans, and related security programs.
Coordinate with the United States Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, Transportation Security Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and other regulatory and law enforcement partners.
Lead security inspections, audits, assessments, exercises, and corrective action initiatives.
Maintain readiness for regulatory inspections and emergency response events.
Direct emergency preparedness, incident response, business continuity support, and crisis management activities.
Serve in leadership roles during emergencies, severe weather events, security incidents, and operational disruptions.
Ensure departmental readiness through training, exercises, equipment management, and operational planning.
Coordinate mutual aid and collaborative response efforts with local, state, and federal agencies.
Oversee recruitment, retention, training, certification, and professional development programs.
Ensure compliance with all law enforcement certification and training requirements.
Promote employee engagement, workforce development, and continuous learning.
Manage employee relations matters and support a positive workplace culture.