Commander, Public Safety

Vanderbilt University•Nashville, TN

19h

About The Position

Key Responsibilities: Operational Leadership 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. Strategic & Executive Responsibilities 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. Community Policing & Relationship Building 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. Personnel Leadership & Development 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. Policy, Accreditation & Compliance 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. Administrative & Resource Management 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. Technology, Data & Modern Policing Practices 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. Event, Emergency & Campus 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. Other Duties 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.

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.
Experience in campus law enforcement or complex institutional policing preferred.
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

Master’s degree preferred.
Completion of professional leadership programs such as FBI National Academy or Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command preferred.
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.