Chief of Police – University of Pennsylvania Police Department - University of Pennsylvania

University Overview


The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.




Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.




The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.








Posted Job Title

Chief of Police – University of Pennsylvania Police Department





Job Profile Title

Chief of Police





Job Description Summary

Reporting to the Vice President for Public Safety, the Chief of police is responsible for the operations of the University of Pennsylvania Police Department (UPPD), which provides law enforcement, crime prevention, and education services related to safety and security on and off-campus. The Chief provides leadership and supervision to 121 sworn MPO certified officers. The Chief will interact daily with students, faculty, staff, administrators, parents, law enforcement agencies and neighborhood leaders in the Philadelphia region, as the division continues to develop the next stage of its well-developed, highly awarded comprehensive, community-based public safety program.


This position is categorized as essential personnel and serves on-call (24 hours/7 days) to respond for emergencies as well as receive emergency/urgent notifications.





Job Description


Reporting to the Vice President for Public Safety, the Chief of Police works collaboratively with other Senior Division of Public Safety (DPS) leaders on organizational initiatives, goals and strategic planning. This role is one of eight Directors for the eight departments within Public Safety, the University of Pennsylvania Police Department is vital to the safety, security and success of the Penn and the West Philadelphia community.




The Chief of Police acts as Director of Police Operations of the University of Pennsylvania Police Department (UPPD), a proud CALEA-accredited law enforcement agency since 2001. The Chief will plan and manage all functions and operations of the Police Department in the enforcement of laws and University regulations, crime prevention, and response. UPPD uses traditional and progressive law enforcement activities, including uniform patrol, criminal investigations, event management, emergency preparedness and response, medical and mental health response, community engagement, and related duties. Work involves organizing and directing the activities of the Police Department's major functions including Staff & Administrative Services, Patrol Operations, Investigations, and Tactical & Emergency Readiness in a vibrant community located in West Philadelphia. The Chief directs strategy for patrolling our of 2.5 square mile patrol zone, including crime prevention and investigations, traffic control, response and support for first amendment activities, and enforcement of statutes and University policies.




The Police Chief reports to and consults with the Vice President for Public Safety in determining plans and policies to be observed in police operations. At the direction of the Vice President, the Chief plans and directs the implementation of the department's short- and long-term goals, objectives and strategies. The position oversees work of three (3) direct reports ensuring proper distribution of assignments and adequate staffing, space and equipment for performance of their duties and those of their personnel. The Chief directs various personnel functions including, but not limited to, hiring, promotions, transfers, training and paid time off, as well as budget, control expenditures of departmental appropriations, and establishes operational standards for the department. The Chief provides operational reports and analyses setting forth progress, adverse trends and appropriate recommendations or conclusions to the Vice President.




The Chief will maintain effective relationships with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies as well as University City partners. (i.e., Philadelphia Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Amtrak Police, FBI, Drexel Police, etc.). This will include presentations to members of the University and local community on safety and security initiatives, while also building upon the trust between DPS and the varied and diverse Penn and West Philadelphia community.




The Chief oversees a robust training program to provide relevant information and techniques for professional and community standards. The Chief is responsible for maintaining professional discipline in the department and adherence to appropriate policies and procedures of the department and the University, in a union environment.




A successful candidate will have strong leadership skills, excellent interpersonal skills, including oral and written communication, the ability to function under significant pressure or in times of crisis, and proficiency to receive and maintain confidential information. It is critical for the Chief to have experience in understanding and addressing the interests and needs within a highly diverse, decentralized environment, including demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff, faculty and community partners that are built on confidence and trust. The Chief is also responsible for working in and creating a team environment and managing an annual budget.




Additionally, a successful candidate will:



+ Be a true team player with a high level of professional ethics and personal integrity, committed to open communication.


+ Have in-depth understanding of applicable laws, risk management, safety and security procedures, policies, and procedures necessary to inform an immediate and appropriate response to all safety situations.


+ Continue to integrate UPPD as a member of the Penn community. Work to gain the trust, respect of the Penn and West Philadelphia communities through established principles of transparency and accountability, through empathetic and professional policing.


+ Demonstrate a record of working with local law enforcement sharing knowledge and resources. Have experience successfully managing large events, protests, and athletic competitions.


+ Demonstrate a record of establishing positive working relationships with community organizations and university stakeholders, including faculty, staff and students, in a collaborative approach to campus safety. A genuine willingness to engage in community policing practices, continual open communications, positive daily interactions, and responsiveness to needs and concerns.


+ Recruit, train, and retain exceptional staff that is diverse, well-qualified, and genuinely interested in serving the Penn and West Philadelphia community. Be a motivated leader who is consistent, fair, accessible. Will empower and challenge individuals while elevating the department and maintaining morale.


+ Make data-driven, evidence-based decisions on crime deterrence, deployment and response. Will also remain open to trying new approaches and technologies to address our challenges.





Required Qualifications




Education/Training


Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Public or Business Administration, or a related field required.




Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree, Federal Bureau of Investigations National Academy and other senior supervisory schools preferred.




Equivalent years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a college degree.




Candidates for this position must possess Act 120 certification (must be a graduate of a Pennsylvania municipal police academy or a graduate of an out-of-state police academy program recognized by the Municipal Police Officers


Education and Training Commission (MPOETC) through the out of state waiver process). Further, candidates must possess a valid driver’s license and must be at least 21 years of age.




Experience


A minimum of ten plus years of progressively responsible management experience in law enforcement.




Qualified candidates from historically excluded groups are encouraged to apply to this position.




Cover Letter Required




Targeted Pay Range: $118,000- $190,000


This Targeted Pay Range is only applicable to this job posting. All salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.












Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania





Department / School

Division of Public Safety





Pay Range

$118,000.00 - $190,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.




Affirmative Action Statement Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.




Special Requirements Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.




University Benefits

+ Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

+ Tuition : Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits . You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

+ Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

+ Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

+ Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

+ Wellness and Work-life Resources : Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

+ Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

+ University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

+ Discounts and Special Services : From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

+ Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

+ Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

+ Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.




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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay



The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn's robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University's mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.