Law Enforcement Officer III/Police Captain

DHRM•Chesterfield, VA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Police Captain provides leadership and strategic oversight of daily operations within assigned divisions of the Virginia State University Police Department, ensuring all functions align with VSU policies, Commonwealth of Virginia statutes, and departmental procedures. The Captain oversees VSU’s Crime Prevention and Community Policing programs, ensuring accurate documentation, strong administrative oversight, and meaningful engagement with students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The position supervises sworn and civilian personnel during Community Policing activities and develops initiatives that strengthen campus partnerships and enhance the safety and well-being of the community. Manages the department’s training and professional development programs to ensure compliance with university, state, and federal law-enforcement standards. The Captain serves as VSU’s Continuity of Operations (COOP) Coordinator, ensuring departmental preparedness for emergencies, operational disruptions, and recovery efforts. The position commands major incidents and critical responses on campus, providing tactical and operational leadership during high-stress situations and ensuring alignment with university emergency-management protocols. The Captain conducts or supervises internal reviews related to officer conduct, campus incidents, complaints, or policy compliance, ensuring fairness, accuracy, and integrity in all investigative processes. The position supervises sworn and civilian staff, conducts performance evaluations, assigns duties, and initiates corrective or disciplinary action when necessary. The Captain ensures timely and thorough documentation of all performance planning and evaluation requirements, mentoring personnel, supports leadership development, and contributes to succession planning initiatives that strengthen the future readiness of the Virginia State University Police Department. The Captain’s position is a Faculty Administrator position with a one-year renewable contract.

Requirements

Considerable knowledge of modern law enforcement principles and practices, including crime detection and prevention, patrol operations, investigations, and campus public safety strategies.
Strong working knowledge of administrative functions such as policy development, personnel supervision, and organizational management.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Graduation from a Nationally Recognized Advanced Police Leadership School.
U.S. citizenship.
Proficiency with firearms and all necessary police equipment.
Substantial knowledge of Virginia state law, applicable local ordinances, and management concepts relevant to a diverse university police force.
Current certification as a Law Enforcement Officer as mandated by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS).
Ability to plan, organize, implement, and direct comprehensive law enforcement and public safety programs within a university environment.
Ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, and departmental policies.
Ability to analyze public safety issues and implement effective solutions.
Capability of functioning effectively both mentally and physically during emergencies and high-stress situations.
Must meet all standards of personal integrity expected of a sworn law enforcement officer.
No felony convictions, no habitual misdemeanor convictions, and no convictions or plea agreements involving moral turpitude, domestic assault, or any misdemeanor sexual offense.
A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible law enforcement experience, including at least four years of service as a Police Lieutenant or higher rank.
Demonstrated understanding of advanced law enforcement concepts, supervisory practices, and human resource management.
Successful completion of a comprehensive background investigation, including reference checks, fingerprint-based criminal history screening (including the sex offender registry), home visits, verification of academic credentials to include (years of education, ranks and service), review of driving history, and inquiries with previous employers.
Panel interviews.
Psychological, medical, and drug screening evaluations.
Applicants currently employed by a Virginia State Agency will be required to complete a new probationary period.
Submission of a Statement of Economic Interests as a condition of employment.
Compliance with all mandatory DCJS training and certification requirements for continued employment.
Faculty must be appropriately credentialed to teach assigned courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Compliance with VSU's Faculty Credentialing Policy #2301 for all applicable education, experience, licensure and certification requirements.

Nice To Haves

A bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice or a related field is preferred; however, an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

Provides leadership and strategic oversight of daily operations within assigned divisions of the Virginia State University Police Department.
Oversees VSU’s Crime Prevention and Community Policing programs.
Supervises sworn and civilian personnel during Community Policing activities and develops initiatives that strengthen campus partnerships.
Manages the department’s training and professional development programs.
Serves as VSU’s Continuity of Operations (COOP) Coordinator.
Commands major incidents and critical responses on campus.
Conducts or supervises internal reviews related to officer conduct, campus incidents, complaints, or policy compliance.
Supervises sworn and civilian staff, conducts performance evaluations, assigns duties, and initiates corrective or disciplinary action.
Ensures timely and thorough documentation of all performance planning and evaluation requirements, mentoring personnel, supports leadership development, and contributes to succession planning initiatives.

Benefits

Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) Immediate vesting | Portable | Investment choice
Virginia Retirement System (VRS) Defined benefit pension | Lifetime monthly income
457 Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP) 403(b) (TIAA)
Comprehensive medical & dental plans
Employee Assistance Program
Paid annual and sick leave
Paid state and federal holidays
Employer-paid life insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility