Senior Police Investigator

American University•Washington, DC

7d•$43 - $44•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direct supervision of the Assistant Vice President (AVP) of University Police Services, Emergency Management, and Transportation Programs, the Senior Police Investigator serves as the principal investigative resource for the American University Police Department (AUPD). This position is responsible for leading complex criminal, administrative, and internal investigations, overseeing threat assessments, and ensuring full compliance with Clery Act and related federal regulations. The Senior Investigator develops and implements advanced investigative strategies, coordinates multi-agency investigative efforts, and provides senior-level consultation to AUPD leadership on crime trends, security risks, and policy development. This position requires specialized expertise in crime analysis, intelligence gathering, and risk mitigation, supporting the university’s commitment to campus safety and compliance. The incumbent also plays a critical leadership role in training, mentoring, and advising police personnel on investigative best practices and emerging security threats.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
At least 5 years of progressive law enforcement investigative experience, with expertise in interviewing, surveillance, forensic evidence handling, and case management.
Extensive experience in multi-agency investigations, Clery Act compliance, and strategic threat mitigation.
Must possess or be able to obtain and maintain a University Special Police Commission in the District of Columbia.
Must possess and maintain a current driver’s license.
Ability to obtain and maintain the University’s approval to drive University vehicles.
Must pass required drug-testing and random drug testing.
Must possess or be able to obtain and maintain issued weapons certifications, CPR and AED certifications, and other training as directed.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, Intelligence Studies, or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

Leads high-level and sensitive investigations involving criminal activity, student misconduct, employee misconduct, fraud, and external threats impacting American University.
Develops and implements advanced investigative strategies, including surveillance, intelligence gathering, forensic analysis, and behavioral threat assessments.
Conducts comprehensive interviews of victims, suspects, and witnesses using advanced interrogation and rapport-building techniques.
Obtains and executes arrest warrants, subpoenas, search warrants, and court orders, working closely with prosecutors and legal entities.
Supervises, trains, and provides technical guidance to junior investigators and AUPD officers engaged in investigative duties.
Acts as the lead investigator in critical incidents, including sexual assaults, violent crimes, and major administrative investigations affecting university personnel.
Conducts in-depth assessments of internal and external threats to American University students, faculty, staff, and property.
Provides strategic threat intelligence to AUPD and university leadership, recommending risk mitigation strategies and emergency response protocols.
Serves as liaison to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, ensuring coordinated response to potential threats.
Utilizes advanced threat analysis tools, social media monitoring, and investigative databases to assess risk indicators and prevent incidents.
Plays a critical role in emergency management planning, assisting with active threat response strategies.
Oversees the university’s compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and related regulations.
Supervises the preparation, publication, and distribution of the Annual Security Report and submission of annual crime statistics to the U.S. Department of Education.
Leads campus-wide training initiatives to ensure compliance with the Clery Act, Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
Advises university leadership on regulatory changes affecting security and investigative policies.
Directs the issuance of timely warnings, emergency notifications, and crime alerts to ensure the safety of the AU community.
Leads crime trend analysis and predictive policing strategies, leveraging data to drive resource deployment.
Oversee crime mapping, statistical reporting, and intelligence-sharing efforts between AUPD and external law enforcement agencies.
Implements and manages advanced investigative technologies, such as AI-driven crime pattern recognition and digital forensics tools.
Provides data-driven recommendations to senior leadership, ensuring a proactive approach to campus security.
Represents AUPD in high-level interagency investigations and joint task forces with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
Coordinates intelligence-sharing and investigative collaborations related to terrorism, cyber threats, human trafficking, and organized crime.
Serves as the primary liaison for law enforcement briefings, interdepartmental intelligence meetings, and external audits of investigative operations.
Develops and enforces university-wide investigative policies and best practices, ensuring alignment with national law enforcement standards.
Prepares and delivers detailed investigative briefings for university leadership, legal counsel, and oversight committees.
Advises on policy improvements related to investigative protocols, compliance, and security enhancements.
Develops and leads training programs for AUPD officers and campus security authorities on investigative techniques, threat assessments, and compliance requirements.
Mentors’ junior investigators, fostering a culture of continuous professional development and leadership.
Identifies and implements cutting-edge investigative methodologies, ensuring AUPD remains at the forefront of campus law enforcement.
Provides senior-level guidance and mentoring to junior investigators and police personnel.
Leads investigative teams and oversees critical incident response protocols.