Description

Saginaw Valley State University seeks a Chief of University Police
Click here to view position profile: https://summitsearchsolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/SVSU_Chief_of_Police_Profile.pdf
Location: University Center, Michigan

The Position:
Saginaw Valley State University, a Great Colleges to Work For recipient, invites applications for the position of Chief of University Police. 

The Chief of University Police provides leadership for Saginaw Valley State University’s team of licensed police officers in providing safety, security, and protection for the entire campus community. The Chief directs, manages, and implements a comprehensive crime prevention, complaint investigation, emergency response, law enforcement, and parking services program; and ensures compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations while emphasizing a community policing philosophy to enhance public safety within the University community. 

Responsibilities:

• Provides vision, leadership, and direction for the department ensuring that all operations, practices, and objectives are aligned with and support the University's Mission.
• Maintains current knowledge of laws and ordinances pertaining to public safety on campus and regularly reviews, plans, and updates as needed Police Department policies and procedures for crime prevention, law enforcement, and safety and security services including public safety and security, housing and campus security operations.
• Leads and oversees all efforts related to achieving and maintaining State accreditation, ensuring continuous compliance with established standards and promoting organizational excellence and accountability. Develops and implements both short and long-range strategic plans for the University Police & Parking Services Department, emphasizing community policing principles. 
• Leads the planning and development of comprehensive goals and objectives for university-wide law enforcement operations.
• Develops, implements, and administers the department’s operating budget, ensuring the strategic allocation of resources to support facilities, equipment, systems, personnel, and overall operational needs of the department.
• Promotes and upholds accountability, transparency, and commitment to service excellence within the department.
• Leads and oversees the recruitment, selection, and retention of police officers, implementing strategies to attract, hire, and retain highly qualified personnel while promoting diversity, professionalism, and organizational excellence.
• Oversees employee performance evaluation, coaching, and disciplinary processes to ensure accountability, professional development, and adherence to departmental standards.
• Provides oversight and coordination of the Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report in compliance with the Clery Act of 1990, ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and integrity of data and information contributed by campus partners and stakeholders.
• Maintains positive working relationships with members of the University community and attends University functions and activities.
• Serves as a representative on University committees, including the CARE Team, Behavioral Threat Assessment Team, Title IX committee, CLERY compliance committee, and co-chairs the Crisis Management Executive Group.
• Oversees the review and approval of police reports and related documentation for external and internal purposes, and performs these duties as needed.
• Acts as a department representative for designated external law enforcement and community groups. 
• Directs the development and maintenance of record systems and legal documents that provide for the proper evaluation, control, compliance with State and Federal requirements, and documentation of the Police Department operations. 
• Responsible for the development and delivery of training for faculty, staff, and students on safety awareness and emergency procedures.
• Responsible for timely communications to the campus community on matters related to safety and security; including Clery Act required timely warnings and emergency notifications.
• Directs and participates as needed with investigations, crime prevention, community relations, special events, and security functions. May be required to perform any or all police officer duties, including detection, apprehension, and resolution of criminal activity.
• Ensures the delivery of ongoing professional training and development for all staff, demonstrating a strong commitment to continuous learning and staff development.
• Maintains active membership and engagement in local, state, and national law enforcement associations (e.g., Police Chiefs Association of Saginaw County, CMACP, MACLEA, MACP, IACP, IACLEA).
• Performs other duties as assigned.
   

Supervision Received:

• The Chief of University Police reports to the Vice President for Legal Affairs.
   

Supervision Exercised:

• Exercises supervision and direction for all University Police department employees, including police officers and supervisors, police clerks, and other support staff.  
   

Qualifications:
Minimum:

• Bachelor's Degree.
• Must be licensed by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards prior to commencement of employment.
• Twelve (12) years of law enforcement experience as a licensed police officer.
• Progressively responsible experience in leadership, supervision, and/or administration.
• Demonstrates excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communications skills with the ability to effectively convey information and project a positive and professional image.
• Demonstrated experience building successful partnerships with community stakeholders.
• Proven record of practicing community policing principles and fostering strong problem-solving partnerships.
• Possession of a valid Michigan driver's license or the ability to obtain one upon appointment.
• Possession of the physical capabilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.
• Experience and ability to positively interact with all members of the campus community.
• Demonstrates proficiency in personal computer applications and systems necessary to support departmental operations, reporting, and communication.
• Exhibits an outstanding professional reputation and consistently demonstrates the highest level of honesty, integrity, and ethical leadership.
• Has the ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodations.
   

Preferred:

• Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Higher Education Administration, or a closely related field.
• Five (5) years of law enforcement command experience.
• Police department service at a higher education institution.
• Experience with collective bargaining and labor relations.
• Experience with and trained in incident and threat assessment techniques.
• Knowledge of the Clery Act requirements.
• Knowledge of and experience working with Title IX, Behavioral Threat Assessment Teams, CARE Teams and other multidisciplinary response models.
• Graduate of an advanced police command training program (e.g., FBI National Academy, Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, Southern Police Institute) or completion of equivalent state-level training.
   

About University Police and Parking Services:
The mission of University Police & Parking Services is to provide safety, security, and protection for the entire SVSU community. The vision is to provide the highest level of safety through problem-solving and partnerships with the community for the success of SVSU.

To accomplish this mission, the department pursues the following strategic objectives:

• Emergency procedure protocols are instituted, communicated, and exercised in circumstances of crisis.
• A variety of emergency notification strategies and systems are used to alert the community of incidents and safety quickly, security and crime prevention programs are readily available to heighten awareness and ensure SVSU continues as a safe campus.
• Crime prevention efforts stress community awareness and interaction through presentations and dissemination of materials, including access to the Emergency Procedures Guide, which provides a quick reference in the event of an emergency.
   

The SVSU Police Department is staffed by licensed police officers 24/7 and participates in a mutual aid agreement with other local law enforcement agencies, serving to expedite assistance from these agencies should their services be required. Many crime prevention and safety programs have been established by the Police Department that focus on education, awareness, and other security measures. 

The department STANDS OUT as a collaborative, community-focused public safety agency that values integrity, preparedness, education, and proactive engagement to support the overall success and well-being of the SVSU community. 

About Saginaw Valley State University:
Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU), founded in 1963, is one of Michigan’s 15 public universities with an enrollment of nearly 7,000 students, with 2,000 of them residential. SVSU is located in the heart of Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region and stretches across 748 acres. A majority of the campus buildings are connected and have also been newly built or updated in the past 15 years. SVSU is surrounded by a nature preserve and is one of the most beautiful college campuses in the state. In 2024, SVSU was voted Best College Campus in Michigan and the Best Housing in the US on Niche.com.  

SVSU offers over 100 academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in five colleges: Health & Human Services; Arts & Behavioral Sciences; Science, Engineering & Technology; Business; and Education. SVSU offers a wide range of additional opportunities for students to thrive and be engaged. Potential leaders may choose a number of elite honors programs with opportunities to do faculty-led research and compete nationally. Men and women may compete in NCAA Division II varsity sports programs or choose to be involved in any of the 170 registered clubs, organizations, and intramural sports.  

There are over 1,100 staff and faculty working together to enhance the lives of students from around the world. SVSU’s inclusive campus culture fosters diversity and inclusion and engages in coordinated efforts across campus to support every aspect of the student journey, from Tutoring & Academic Support; Mental Health & Wellness Center; a Center for Career Readiness; Multicultural Support and Services; and Accessibility Resources and Accommodations.  

SVSU STANDS OUT as a great place to work and has received national recognition among “Great Colleges to Work For” for nine consecutive years. SVSU’s collective commitment to supporting student success in the Cardinal community makes SVSU a great place to work and learn.  

Saginaw Valley State University was accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC/NCA) as a baccalaureate degree-granting institution in 1970. In 1980 the HLC/NCA continued this accreditation and granted accreditation at the master's degree level. In 2013, SVSU added its first doctoral program in nursing. These accreditations have been reaffirmed continuously since the original accreditation. SVSU also has ten programs that have been awarded specialized accreditations, including being selected by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching to receive its 2015 Community Engagement Classification, marking SVSU as a university that is exceptionally engaged with the community it serves. Go Cards! To learn visit: https://www.svsu.edu/ 

Why Consider the Opportunity:

• Impact. The retiring Chief of Police and his team have established productive and positive working relationships with the campus community including, staff, faculty and students. Collectively they view the safety and security of the campus as the number one priority.
• Integrated into the community. The campus police team is actively engaged with the community at large including law enforcement agencies throughout the region. They know and respect each other.
• SVSU is a great place to work. The University has a collaborative culture developed and supported by senior leadership, faculty, and staff. This is a community that values each person and makes care for one another a high priority. 
• Exceptional benefits. Benefits highlights include a 12% employer contribution to retirement, affordable healthcare coverage, and tuition waivers.
• High quality of life. The Great Lakes Bay region offers an affordable cost of living with many housing options. The region is a family-oriented community close to many recreational activities.
   

To Apply:
Confidential review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled; parties who apply by August 5, 2026 will be given first consideration. Please submit a PDF version of your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest in and suitability for this position.  

To apply online, go to: https://theapplicantmanager.com/jobs?pos=su514  

For more information or to offer recommendations or nominations:
Caitlin Hummel
Senior Consultant
Summit Search Solutions, Inc.
Direct: 585-880-7550
chummel@summitsearchsolutions.com 

Saginaw Valley State University is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer: http://www.svsu.edu/diversity/affirmativeaction/  

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and throughout their employment. The university does not provide employment visa sponsorship now or in the future for this job classification.