Chief of Police

QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and a minimum of twelve years of progressive policing experience and training (FBI, state, general) in law enforcement, including at least six years serving at a command level rank with diverse responsibilities including assignments in administration or supervision of special programs in a department with similar size and complexity to the University of Connecticut are required. A master’s degree from an accredited institution or a terminal degree such as a Ph.D. or law degree, participation and completion of an executive-level law enforcement training course such as the FBI national academy, and experience working at and commanding police personnel in a university setting are preferred. The ideal candidate will possess a demonstrated commitment to, and past experiences with, diversity, equity and inclusion efforts both within a department and the broader community; the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with senior administration, deans, students, faculty, staff, parents, governmental authorities, community and municipal groups and the public; the ability to understand the complexities of student life and the needs/issues of the campus communities; and the vision and ability to anticipate and adapt to, at times, a changing environment while maintaining the safety and order of the university. Candidates must possess and maintain authority through Connecticut General Statute 10a-156b “to arrest and present before a competent authority any person for any offense committed within his precinct” and must be able to obtain and maintain Connecticut P.O.S.T. Police Officer Certification including having the ability to operate police equipment and weapons and also demonstrate physical and psychological fitness. In addition, candidates are subject to selection standards under Section 7-294-a-e of the Connecticut General Statutes and the regulations of the Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training Council, which require the ability to successfully pass a background investigation including a polygraph and psychological examination.

Additional position qualifications include:

• Ability to effectively lead, engage and develop policies pertaining to law enforcement at the University of Connecticut.
• Superior interpersonal skills; as well as strong verbal, written, and technological skills and aptitude.
• Demonstrated knowledge of issues and best practices in a university police services environment.
• The ability to possess and retain a current valid U.S. Motor Vehicle Operator license.
• The willingness and ability to be available 24/7 as required.
• Experience working at and commanding police personnel at collegiate Division 1 athletic events, including football and basketball event management/oversight.
• Experience working at and commanding police personnel as well as safety and security personnel and services at a major research hospital, preferably in a university setting.

In addition to the minimum academic and experiential requirements indicated in this document, other desired characteristics, skills, actions, and/or abilities noted from discussions with institutional stakeholders include:

• Possess a strong vision for leading a police department and security services toward its common mission of the service and protection of its community.
• Demonstrate the ability to formulate a plan for unifying and leading police and security staff who will encounter a broad spectrum of issues that may be directly or indirectly related to the departments.
• Strong leadership abilities that inspire staff and promote unity and teamwork, as well as human relations skills to deal effectively with personnel issues when necessary.
• An excellent and transparent communicator with the ability to reach all levels of the department and the university, including the ability to effectively speak to the press, parents, and the campus community.
• Able to listen carefully, ask knowledgeable questions, learn the department and its intricacies, accept input from staff, and then make and communicate well-informed decisions.
• Possess strategic vision and the ability to motivate all levels of staff to support that vision;
• deep knowledge of community policing and the ability to integrate that philosophy into the culture of the police department;
• A student-centered philosophy in which the welfare of students and improvement of the student experience is of the highest priority.
• Possess problem-solving skills, with the ability to determine needs, address issues, and manage change effectively.
• Strong assessment skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions, set expectations across the department, devise and implement a plan, analyze the results, and propose changes and updates based on these outcomes.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in compliance and associated reporting requirements, particularly the details of Clery.
• Adaptable to significant changes on the spur of the moment, not reactive, and able to address situations with a cool and collected demeanor.
• A strategic and data-informed decision-maker who is also able to think fast on their feet when necessary.
• Strong public relations skills, with the ability to be the positive “face” of university police.
• Ethical, with the utmost integrity, and a good steward of resources.
• Demonstrated experience in embracing and utilizing new and innovative technology.
• Strong budgeting and finance skills, and able to be strategic in all budgetary decisions and recognize at all times the limits of the state budgeting system.
• An innovator with a futuristic orientation and willing to try new opportunities, remain informed on new trends and best practices, and lead significant change processes.
• Ability to understand that a comprehensive commitment to a customer service philosophy is one of the top priorities of the position.
• An ardent delegator who can balance knowing when to actively participate and when tasks can be delegated to others who are empowered.
• Willingness to be visible on campus, to participate in the life of the campus, and to work with the administration to provide information and news to the campus community in a timely and appropriate fashion.
• Politically savvy and tactful, with the ability to advocate for the needs of the staff and the departments.
• Possess knowledge of social media and can harness and leverage it for the departments.
• Possess a positive attitude and a good sense of humor.
• Experience in and support for professional law enforcement organizations that provide education and development for campus.
• Possess an understanding of mental health issues, as well as the value of having officers trained as mental health officers and being front-line contacts in this area.
• Ability to adequately staff major campus events, including athletics and entertainment, efficiently and cost-effectively.
• Possess deep knowledge of first-amendment and free-speech issues as they relate to a public university setting.

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES OF THE ROLE

The next Chief must possess a broad and deep understanding of national best practices concerning community policing, large campus culture, modern technology, and staff development. The Chief should be an experienced leader capable of managing crises and complex situations and equipped to contribute at both a strategic and tactical level to a vibrant, dynamic and large higher education environment with locations across the state.

The UConn stakeholders were genuinely interested in participating in discussions about this position, and there was a sense of unity in support of identifying a competent and visionary individual who can promote the team, put students as a top priority, and lead the departments into the future.

Several opportunities, priorities, and challenges that will face the new Chief of Police were identified:

• Police practices are under a microscope across the country. It will be critical for the new Chief to fully commit to implementing a progressive policing philosophy at the UConn Police Department (UCPD). Officers should be visible, accessible, and engaged with the student body, consistently networking with the faculty and administration, interactively involving the campus in safety and security endeavors, and generally providing a positive representation of the department as an active member of the UConn community. The Chief should use national best practices, innovative new trends, and professional networks to inform the further development of a kind and compassionate policing philosophy.
• UConn is deeply committed to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and community and human relations, so the new Chief will need to keep these concepts as a top priority at all times. The Chief must ensure the inclusion of education and training around diversity, equity, bias, discrimination, and inclusivity in all areas of the departments.
• The departments have undergone significant changes in the past five years. UConn Health was added to the organization in 2017 and the police departments for all the campuses were combined in 2018. The Department of Security Services was established in 2023. Officers are assigned to locations across the state on a day-by-day basis, so some officers are required to commute up to two hours. The department cultures and the nature of the positions can vary significantly at different locations. For example, officers on the Storrs campus spend significant time in patrol vehicles while officers at the smaller regional locations are likely to be on foot patrol and have more opportunities for direct interaction with members of the campus community. Therefore, the Chief will need to promote flexibility, adaptability, and teamwork.
• The new Chief must commit to a comprehensive culture of collaboration and partnering both within the organization and externally for maximum effectiveness; UConn is committed to building relationships as a foundation of the campus culture, and strong collaboration is an absolute necessity in all endeavors to ensure success. The UCPD interacts with a vast number of individuals, departments, and organizations, so it will be critical for the new Chief to quickly reach out across campus to build strong partnerships that foster ongoing positive relationships. These connections are essential to assess real needs, design student-centered programs, and always provide high-end customer service. Additionally, the UCPD works closely with state and local law enforcement across Connecticut, so the new Chief should be prepared to continue to foster strong collaborative relationships with these partners.
• The Chief will need to make accountability a priority and forge a balance between enforcing rules and supporting UConn’s mission. Working hand-in-hand with the Dean of Students Office is an essential relationship, and one that will promote restorative justice and the educational mission of the university.
• The University is a heavily unionized organization, with nearly all police personnel being represented by the statewide Connecticut Police and Fire Union (CPFU). While the State of Connecticut’s Office of Labor Relations directly handles the negotiations with the CPFU, it remains essential for the Chief to establish a strong working relationship with the union. As a state agency, the Chief will also need to be keenly aware and familiar with applicable state statutes, processes, and timelines that apply to state personnel.
• The student body at UConn is activist in nature, so the new Chief should be prepared to work together with the students to provide safe and secure environments in which to voice their views. The student body is empowered and activated on social issues, is vocal, and will conduct demonstrations around these issues. The campus itself is vibrant, and often active well into the late-night hours. The Chief should have an understanding of how student protests can be safely and positively supported by campus law enforcement, while also holding community members accountable when laws or university regulations are violated.