Description

Position Information

Posting Detail Information

Working Position Title
Chief of Police - Dept. of Public Safety (4240)

Classification
Director

Position Number
00004240

Open Date
07/15/2025

Close Date

Priority Review Date
09/16/2025

Employee Class
Staff

Full-Time/Part Time
Full-Time

FTE
1.00

Position Status
Regular

FLSA
Exempt

Job code
1330SPS03

Union Representation
Non-Union

Union Code
N/A

Unit/Department
Public Safety

College/Unit
Public Safety

Division
Univ Administrative Services

Location
TS PUBSFTY

Link to Department Website or Custom Search Page
https://www.niu.edu/work-at-niu/police-public-safety/chief-of-police-and-public-safety.shtml

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Overview

Northern Illinois University ( NIU ) seeks a dynamic and collaborative individual to serve as the next Chief of Police and Public Safety (CoPPS).

NIU is a nationally recognized public research university with expertise that benefits its region and spans the globe in a wide variety of fields including the sciences, humanities, arts, business, engineering, education, health and law. Through its main campus in DeKalb and its education centers for students and working professionals in Chicago, Naperville, and Rockford, NIU offers more than 130 different degree programs across seven colleges, in addition to a variety of programs that lead to undergraduate and graduate certificate programs. NIU enrolls over 15,400 students, including approximately 972 international students and 3,700 graduate students.

The Northern Illinois University Department of Police and Public Safety ( DPPS ) is recognized as a professional organization operating under an active community-policing philosophy that encourages the entire campus community to promote crime prevention and safety awareness. The next CoPPS will provide leadership to DPPS while making strategic judgments and continually refining the department's strategies to advance campus safety. The CoPPS will ensure a community-policing approach that effectively connects police staff with students, faculty, staff and community partners.

Position Summary

The Chief of Police and Public Safety (CoPPS) serves as the senior law enforcement official responsible for the protection, safety, and security of persons, property, equipment, and facilities in and around Northern Illinois University ( NIU ) controlled properties.

The CoPPS is responsible for maintaining public peace and order and enforces all applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, and University policies. The CoPPS is also the principal administrator for planning, directing, and managing the comprehensive law enforcement, public safety and security, and emergency preparedness services for all components of NIU . The CoPPS serves as the ambassador for all safety- and security-related services and works closely with key university, local, state, and federal partners. The CoPPS is responsible for supervisory oversight of the Department of Police and Public Safety ( NIUPD ).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leads the Police, Public Safety, Security Operations, and Administration - 35%

• Directs the planning, administration, training, and organizational development of the NIUPD , including but not limited to police and public safety operations, safety and security systems and policies, emergency preparedness, threat and risk assessment, finance, budgeting, and business operations.
• Manages and directs the activities of the agencies senior personnel, including deputy chiefs, commanders (lieutenants), sworn law enforcement supervisors (sergeants), civilian directors and others performing police, public safety, security, and/or administrative functions.
• Ensures the fair and impartial enforcement of State criminal, traffic, and motor vehicle laws, and adopted edicts from the University Board of Trustees through the comprehensive knowledge, understanding, and application of the Illinois State Statutes and the University's policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
• Performs research, planning, and supervisory oversight for the development of NIUPD written directives to ensure compliance with laws and regulations of local, state, and federal government agencies, law enforcement accreditation and NIU policies.
• Ensures the professional development of NIUPD staff, provides professional guidance and support to subordinate employees, and conducts employee evaluations while maintaining employee morale and esprit de corps.
• Collaborates with NIU Human Resource Services ( HRS ) and the Office of the General Counsel ( OGC ) on successful negotiation and compliance with NIUPD collective bargaining agreements.
• Makes decisions relative to personnel practices including the hiring, promotion and discharge of agency employees, with appropriate support from HRS and OGC .
• Analyzes police, public safety, and security operations and develops strategic plans for optimizing services to meet the demands of stakeholders.

Represents the University as the Senior Campus Law Enforcement Official - 35%

• Protects life and protects property while preserving the public peace, order maintenance and tranquility through the use of sophisticated deployment of personnel, concentrated mobile and foot patrols, the use of security technologies, covert and overt surveillance initiatives and the employment of appropriate investigative strategies.
• Promotes and maintains exceptional relationships with university students, parents, employees, community members, and officials at the local, state, and federal level of government.
• Develops and ensures compliance of intergovernmental agreements at the local, state, and federal levels of government, including but not limited to mutual aid agreements for emergency response to and from other jurisdictions.
• Collaborates with key community stakeholders to ensure university compliance with the Jeanne Clery Act, the Higher Education Act, the Violence Against Women Act, Title IX, and other local, state, and federal laws.
• Collaborates with stakeholders with diverse backgrounds, including students, parents, faculty and staff in university settings, and community law enforcement professionals.

Engages with NIU President's Senior Leadership Team - 20%

• Provides counsel, guidance, and direction to the president in regard to law enforcement, public safety and security operations for all NIU properties and interests.
• Works collaboratively with the chief of staff, president, provost, vice presidents and key university stakeholders in support of the university's strategic direction, achievement of university objectives and goals and operating the department in a manner that is consistent with the university's vision, mission and values.
• Provides oversight for the development and execution of the NIU emergency preparedness and business continuity plans.
• Makes collaborative decisions relative to emergency conditions not governed by established policies and procedures.
• Collaborates with the university public information officer ( PIO ) to provide accurate information on warnings, shelter, evacuation orders, and the general progress of major events.
• Communicates with various internal and external stakeholders through a number of outlets, including press conferences, phone calls, media outlets, and social media.
• Analyzes community problems, develops preventative strategies, and engages in proactive problem solving initiatives, engaging other senior leaders as appropriate.
• Leads and participates in committees and work groups, supports shared governance processes.
• Coordinates, oversees, and completes various projects with minimal supervision.

Performs other Police and Public Safety Activities - 10%

• May conduct, supervise, or lead the conduct of investigations for violation of criminal law and administrative inquiries for violations of rules, regulations, and university policies, and procedures.
• May conduct mobile and foot patrol activities, respond to alarms and emergencies, serve warrants or engage in self-initiated police activities. May direct motor vehicle and pedestrian traffic, conduct motor vehicle accident investigations.
• Performs other duties as may be required or assigned by the president's chief of staff.

Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service)

N/A

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) (Civil Service)

N/A

Specialty Factors (Civil Service)

N/A

Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service)

N/A

Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS)

1. A bachelor's degree in criminology, criminal justice, administration of justice or a related field.
2. Ten years of sworn law enforcement, with at least three years in management.

Condition of employment: The selected candidate must have the ability to obtain police officer certification in Illinois.

Additional Requirements (SPS)

None

Preferred Qualifications (SPS)

• Master's degree preferred
• Experience in a university environment preferred
• Advanced courses such as FBI National Academy, Southern Police Institute, Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command, Police Executive Research Forum's ( PERF ) Senior Management Institute for Police are preferred.

Physical demands/requirements

The CoPPS must be able to perform both at exceptional physical and cognitive levels. The CoPPS must be able to think clearly in a crisis and must have a sufficient intellectual capacity to remain in control while managing stressful circumstances and the people under their respective command. The person working in this capacity must be able to assess a situation and make appropriate decisions regarding the use of available resources and appropriate responses while directing the activities of others.

The CoPPS may have to stand, sit, bend over, or kneel for extended periods of time. The CoPPS may be required to use strenuous physical exertion with no prior notification. In emergency circumstances the CoPPS may be required to run up several flights of stairs and then engage in continuous and strenuous physical activity for an extended period of time. The CoPPS may in some instances be required to chase on foot one or more fleeing criminal suspects for several hundred meters and engage in unassisted physical confrontations then physically restrain one or more individuals for two (2) to three (3) minutes or more. Offenders can range in weight from ninety (90) pounds to in excess of two hundred fifty (250) pounds. These encounters can be life threatening and require the incumbent to protect themselves or others until assistance can arrive.

Appointment and Compensation Details

Appointment and Compensation Details

Anticipated Appointment Start Date
1/1/2026

Anticipated Appointment End Date
06/30/2026

Percent of Staff Year
1.00

Standard Hours Per Week
37.50

Working Hours
8 am-4:30 pm and additional evening and weekend hours required

Salary
$165,000 - $172,000/Annually; NIU offers a robust benefits package.

Hourly or Semi-monthly Pay Rate/Range
$6,875.00 - $7166.67/Semi-monthly

Earn Type
Salary

Application Procedure

Application Procedure

Application Procedure

For full consideration, please visit https://employment.niu.edu/postings/83816 to submit the following materials by September 16, 2025:

Required Documents:

• Cover Letter - Please include your interest in employment with NIU and how your previous experiences position you for success in the role for which you are applying.
• Current Resume
• List of three current professional references
• Unofficial Transcripts (with Official Transcripts provided within 30 days of start date)

Applications submitted after September 16, 2025, are welcomed but will be considered as needed.

Special Instructions

Quick Link to Applicant
https://employment.niu.edu/postings/83816

Is Background Check Required?
Yes

EEO Statement Summary

In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, disability (physical and mental), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (identity and expression), political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Ethics and Compliance Officer, Title IX Coordinator
Health Services Building Room 230
[email protected]
815-753-5560

Visa Policy

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

ADA Accommodation

NIU remains committed to ensuring that its recruitment and application procedures include full opportunities for applicants with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied to anyone because of the need to make accommodations for a person's disability during either the application or interview process. An applicant who believes they require an accommodation to participate in the employment process due to a disability may request that accommodation through the Accommodation Request Form . For further assistance, please contact the office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity ( AAEO ) at [email protected] .

Safety Information

NIU provides annual reports on campus security and fire safety.
Read the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report .
Contact the Ethics and Compliance Office at 815-753-9364 for a hard copy.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Cover Letter
2. Resume/Curriculum Vitae
3. List of at least 3 Professional References
4. Transcripts (unofficial with official required at hire)

Optional Documents

1. Certifications/Licensure #1
2. Certifications/Licensure #2
3. Military Discharge Documents ONLY (DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256)
4. Other

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).