CHIEF, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

The University of Washington is seeking a Chief of the UWPD. The UW’s Seattle campus communities require a forward-looking chief who understands and embraces evolutions in policing, engagement with communities, and collaboration.

The University of Washington Police Department has an outstanding opportunity for a Chief, University of Washington Police Department.  The Chief of the UWPD will serve a vital role in the safety, security and success of the University of Washington. This position requires an individual with significant law enforcement leadership experience who is adept at building trust through relationships, understands and values working with students, faculty, staff, and other constituents at the University. Importantly, this top professional will also provide leadership to UWPD officers and staff as the University reimagines approaches to public and campus safety. The new chief will also be able to anticipate future challenges and inspire others with a collaborative and engaging style.

MISSION & VISION OF UWPD

MISSION: The University of Washington Police Department actively collaborates with our community to create a safe and secure campus through education, problem solving and enforcement. We use innovative practices, continuing training, and partnerships to provide professional public safety services, thereby reducing crime and the fear of crime. In doing so, we foster and maintain an environment that supports the well-being of our students, staff, faculty and visitors.

VISION: The University of Washington Police Department aspires to be a world leader in innovative campus public safety practices. Our commitment to excellence supports the campus community’s pursuit of academic and research goals in an environment free of crime and the fear of crime.

Currently reporting to the Vice President for Student Life – with a planned reporting line transfer to a newly established position of Vice President for Campus Community Safety – the Chief of the University of Washington Police Department will serve a vital role in the safety, security, and success of the University of Washington.

The Chief of the UWPD directs a workforce which includes approximately 30 civilian staff and 34 commissioned officers. The UWPD is very proud to be nationally accredited by both the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) and the Washington Association of Sheriffs & Police Chiefs (WASPC). The UWPD is one of only eight police agencies in the state of Washington that has achieved national accreditation.

The UWPD focuses on traditional law enforcement activities, including uniformed patrol response, traffic control and enforcement, criminal investigations, crowd control and event management, facilities security, emergency management, victim advocacy, apprehension, evidence collection, crime prevention, 911 dispatch center and related duties. The urban and public nature of the Seattle campus results in a range of issues and concerns common to cities, but being based on a campus also provides opportunities for public engagement in a community-centered approach to safety. The chief oversees prompt and thorough investigations of all crimes and traffic accidents reported within the University’s jurisdiction and ensures the preparation of evidence for transmittal to proper authorities.

The University of Washington is a member of the Pac-12 conference and holds athletic events on the Seattle campus. UWPD provides security, crowd control, and traffic control at large events held at UW Husky Stadium and Alaska Airlines Arena. The Seattle campus is also occasionally the location for rallies, marches and protests by members of the UW community and/or by members of the public, necessitating a response that promotes the safety of all.

The position requires the chief to be involved with various stakeholders. Successful candidates will have a strong background in establishing and employing effective communication methods within and external to the department. The chief will maintain relationships and cooperative working efforts with surrounding law enforcement agencies (local, county, state, and federal), and will place emphasis on developing comprehensive campus community-oriented policing strategies.

The chief is responsible for recruiting, selecting, training, and evaluating departmental staff and taking necessary corrective actions when warranted. The chief coordinates the work of the UWPD with other law enforcement agencies in the area and partners with University administration, faculty, and students to gather feedback and promote safety on the Seattle Campus.

The chief receives direction from the Vice President for Student Life – with a planned reporting line transfer to a newly established position of Vice President for Campus Community Safety – and in emergency conditions, from the president of the University.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS: The UWPD has jurisdiction over the UW’s Seattle campus that includes a uniquely diverse service population of about 75,000. The chief must spend the time necessary to form working relationships with a broad array of constituencies, including the staff of the University Police Department, student leaders, UW faculty and staff, administrative leadership, Seattle Police Department liaisons and leadership, and other Police Chiefs and public safety leaders throughout King County and the state of Washington.

PUBLIC EDUCATION & AWARENESS: The University of Washington’s Seattle campus is home to a diverse community in an urban setting. New students arrive on a quarterly basis, and the employee base can change rapidly. On-going communications and public education are challenges given the nature of the service population at the University level in this environment. The chief will lead efforts that enhance the UWPD’s programs to better engage and educate the community about services provided by the UWPD.

COMMUNICATION: The UWPD is a dynamic organization of sworn officers and civilian employees. The chief will be responsible for ensuring that all employees are provided with consistent and timely information about the mission, vision, needs, changes, and successes of the UWPD. Further, the chief is responsible for ensuring compliance and communication of Timely Warnings and Clery statistics.

CAMPUS COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING: Given the population served by the UWPD, combined with the unique environment (a University campus), this department represents Campus Community Oriented Policing at its most fundamental level. The chief will oversee public safety efforts for special events on campus, including, but not limited to, major sporting events, campus/community rallies, marches and protests, speakers, commencement and convocation. Additionally, the department is not “call driven” like most other law enforcement agencies. Therefore, the chief will have an exceptional opportunity to further the department’s efforts toward connecting with the community, taking a comprehensive approach to resolving problems and issues around campus, and providing long-term solutions to enhance the quality of life for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

LABOR RELATIONS: The Chief of the UWPD plays a key role in labor relations, including collective bargaining agreement negotiations. As such, the chief must be knowledgeable on existing contracts, the history of grievances, and any other labor issues, in order to serve as a fully informed participant of the negotiating team.

STAFFING & ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: The chief will be expected to design and implement a comprehensive staffing, recruiting, retention, and professional development plan designed to meet the immediate needs of the department, provide a clear, understandable career path and promotional process for sworn and civilian employees, and develop the leadership talent needed to take the agency into the future.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES: The chief will approve all policies and procedures within the UWPD.

STRATEGIC PLANNING & VISIONING: The Chief of the UWPD will be expected to lead the department through periodic comprehensive strategic planning and visioning processes, then articulate a shared vision to the entire department. Additionally, the chief will conduct the business of the department in a manner consistent with the vision and values identified.

For police benefits at a glance please see: Benefits for UW Police

REQUIRMENTS