Commander, Public Safety

Vanderbilt University•Nashville, TN

About The Position

At Vanderbilt University [http://www.vanderbilt.edu] , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville [https://www.nashville.gov/], Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum [https://www.vanderbilt.edu/trees/] dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice. We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story. Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
Completion of professional leadership programs such as FBI National Academy or Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command preferred.
Minimum of ten years of law enforcement experience, including five years in a supervisory capacity.
Excellent leadership, communication, conflict resolution, and analytical skills.
Ability to manage sensitive situations with discretion and professionalism.
Ability to work varying hours, including nights, weekends, or during emergencies.
Candidates must successfully pass the Police Commander Assessment Process to be eligible for promotion or appointment to this role. This assessment evaluates leadership competencies, critical decision‑making, operational knowledge, communication skills, and readiness to perform at the command levelthe

Nice To Haves

Experience in campus law enforcement or complex institutional policing preferred.

Responsibilities

Oversees daily operations within the assigned division to ensure efficient, proactive, and high‑quality police services.
Develops deployment strategies using crime analysis, campus activity patterns, and other data‑driven insights.
Leads critical incident response, emergency operations, and major event security planning.
Aligns divisional goals and priorities with the department’s mission and strategic direction.
Contributes to departmental strategic planning, goal setting, and performance measurement.
Uses modern policing technologies such as real‑time analytics, body‑worn cameras, and early intervention tools.
Participates in accountability processes such as CompStat‑style reviews.
Advances a community‑focused policing philosophy centered on visibility, trust, and collaboration.
Builds relationships with campus departments, medical center partners, student groups, and external agencies.
Supports safety education, outreach programs, and problem‑solving initiatives.
Supervises lieutenants, sergeants, officers, detectives, and/or civilian staff.
Provides coaching, mentoring, and performance evaluations to support employee development.
Identifies training needs and promotes professional growth and operational excellence.
Fosters a culture of accountability, service, and continuous improvement.
Ensures compliance with university policies, state and federal laws, and accreditation standards such as CALEA and IACLEA.
Oversees inspections, audits, and internal reviews to maintain quality and consistency.
Contributes to policy development and updates aligned with best practices.
Supports internal investigations and professional standards functions as required.
Manages staffing, scheduling, personnel assignments, leave approvals, and overtime usage.
Develops operating plans, budget recommendations, and resource management strategies.
Prepares operational summaries, after‑action reports, and other data‑based assessments for leadership.
Oversees the efficient use of equipment, vehicles, facilities, and specialized resources.
Uses analytics tools, digital evidence systems, and RMS/CAD platforms to guide operations.
Encourages innovation, efficiency, and evidence‑based policing.
Supports implementation of new technology and integrates it into division operations.
Manages police operations for major campus events, athletic contests, demonstrations, and dignitary visits.
Works with emergency management on planning, exercises, and coordinated response.
Ensures readiness for natural disasters, medical emergencies, security threats, and other critical incidents.
Represents the department on committees, task forces, boards, and interagency groups.
Performs other responsibilities as assigned by the Deputy Chief of Police or Chief of Police.