Deputy Chief of Police

Brandeis University • Waltham, MA

1d • $125,100 - $166,900 • Onsite

About The Position

Brandeis University is looking for a Deputy Chief of Police. The Deputy Chief of Police is the senior operational commander of the Brandeis University Police Department and serves as the de facto Chief of Police for all day-to-day functions. Reporting directly to the Associate Vice President of Operations and Chief Safety Officer, the Deputy Chief carries full command authority over the department's sworn personnel, civilian staff, programs, and daily operations. This is a hands-on command position. The Deputy Chief owns everything that happens in the department on a daily basis — officer deployment and supervision, policy implementation, accreditation compliance, investigations oversight, personnel accountability, budget management, training, and community engagement. The Deputy Chief acts with full Chief of Police authority on operational matters and serves as Chief of Police in the AVP/CSO's absence. The department being led includes approximately 20 sworn officers, two security officers, five parking monitors, student escort and BEMCo workers, and coordination with contracted shuttle service providers.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, or a related field from an accredited institution required.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible law enforcement experience, with at least five (5) years in a supervisory or command capacity.
• A valid driver's license is required.
• This position requires on-call availability and the ability to respond to campus emergencies at any hour.
• The role involves exposure to conditions consistent with active law enforcement work.
• Must hold or be eligible to obtain certification under Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 22C, Section 63 as a Special State Police Officer within a defined timeframe established at hire.
• Demonstrated experience in the full-spectrum management of a law enforcement agency or major operational division, including operations, personnel, policy, and budget.
• Strong and demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and knowledge of best practices in community policing and constitutional law enforcement.
• Knowledge of best practices in police operations, community policing, crisis management, emergency response, and risk management.
• Proven critical thinking and analytical skills with demonstrated ability to manage organizational change and foster a collaborative, inclusive work environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing reports, policies, and briefings for senior leadership.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, or a closely related field preferred.
• Prior command experience in a college or university public safety setting.
• IACLEA accreditation experience, including serving as accreditation manager or primary file coordinator.
• Completion of senior leadership programs such as FBI National Academy, Senior Management Institute for Police, or equivalent.
• Working knowledge of Clery Act compliance, Title IX operational coordination, and FERPA in a higher education context.
• Familiarity with NIMS, ICS, and emergency management principles in a campus environment.
• Deep understanding of student life and demonstrated experience engaging with diverse campus constituencies.

Responsibilities

• Exercise full day-to-day command authority over all police department operations, including patrol, investigations, special events, and emergency response.
• Establish daily operational priorities, manage deployment and shift coverage, and maintain appropriate staffing across all hours.
• Respond to significant incidents and provide on-scene command leadership as required.
• Oversee after-hours, weekend, and on-call command responsibilities, maintaining personal availability for critical situations.
• Serve as acting Chief of Police on all operational matters when the AVP/CSO is engaged with university executive responsibilities or otherwise unavailable.
• Directly supervise command staff including sergeants and provide command-level oversight for all sworn and non-sworn department personnel, including approximately 20 sworn officers, two security officers, five parking monitors, and applicable student workers.
• Conduct and oversee performance evaluations, coaching, corrective action, and progressive discipline processes for all department personnel.
• Manage shift scheduling, staffing plans, and resource deployment to ensure appropriate coverage across all operational hours.
• Lead hiring processes for department vacancies in coordination with Human Resources and with AVP/CSO concurrence.
• Develop emerging leaders within the department and foster a culture of accountability, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
• Champion a community policing philosophy throughout the department, building genuine trust and partnership with students, faculty, and staff.
• Serve as the department's primary operational liaison to key campus partners including Student Affairs, Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Facilities, Residence Life, Athletics, and BEMCo.
• Act as a visible and accessible command presence within the campus community, attending events, engaging with student groups, and supporting the department's community advisory functions.
• Maintain working-level relationships with the Waltham Police Department and regional, state, and federal law enforcement agencies for operational coordination and mutual aid purposes.
• Develop and sustain crime prevention programs, campus safety forums, and community advisory engagement in support of the department's policing reform commitments.
• Lead the development, review, and ongoing maintenance of department policies, procedures, and general orders, ensuring alignment with legal requirements, best practices, and university standards.
• Manage the department's IACLEA accreditation process and any applicable Massachusetts state certification requirements, serving as the primary accreditation file manager and point of accountability.
• Ensure department-wide compliance with the Clery Act, FERPA, and other applicable federal, state, and local regulations at the operational level.
• Oversee the administration of all safety program requirements, including active participation in the campus Committee on Safety and Security and related operational working groups.
• Maintain, update, and implement the department's general orders manual and ensure all personnel are trained and held accountable to current standards.
• Oversee the department's investigative function, including case assignment, investigative quality review, and coordination with external law enforcement agencies.
• Manage internal affairs investigations, use-of-force reviews, and all internal accountability processes, ensuring matters are handled consistently, fairly, and in accordance with policy and law.
• Oversee the completion and quality of all police duty logs, incident reports, and department files, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and proper retention.
• Maintain security and safety records and prepare summary briefings and exception reports for the AVP/CSO on matters of significance.
• Develop the Police Department's annual operating budget proposal in coordination with the AVP/CSO, providing detailed justifications and cost analyses.
• Manage day-to-day budget activity for the Police Department, approving expenditures within authorized limits, monitoring for variances, and reporting budget status to the AVP/CSO.
• Oversee procurement for equipment, vehicles, uniforms, and services in compliance with university purchasing policies.
• Prepare operational reports, statistical summaries, and presentations for the AVP/CSO, university leadership, and external stakeholders as required.

Benefits

• The University's pay ranges represent a good faith estimate of what Brandeis reasonably expects to pay for a position at the time of posting. The pay offered to a selected candidate during hiring will be based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience and education/training, internal peer equity, and applicable legal requirements.
• Brandeis University is a great employer for all the same reasons it is an outstanding university. Its commitment to inclusion, dedication to lifelong learning and commitment to excellence are just a few of the reasons our workplace culture shines bright. We take pride not only in maintaining this culture, but expanding it — by recruiting and retaining outstanding employees who share our values and enrich Brandeis University overall.
• Applicants who require accommodation in the job application process are welcome to contact Human Resources at 781-736-4474 or via email, [email protected].
• While not required, we strongly recommend that employees are fully vaccinated.
• Certain positions at Brandeis University may require a background check.

What This Job Offers

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