The Chief of Police (Chief) serves as the chief law enforcement and public safety executive for the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) and provides strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for all police and public safety operations.
The Chief is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive campus public safety program that supports the University's academic, research, residential, healthcare, and administrative missions while promoting a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for students, faculty, staff, visitors, and the broader university community.
Reporting to the Vice Chancellor, Finance, Operations and Administration (FOA) the Chief establishes the vision, priorities, policies, and operational strategies for the UC Davis Police Department. The Chief advises UC Davis executive leadership, including the Chancellor and UC Davis Health executives.
The position exercises broad authority and accountability for department operations, personnel, fiscal resources, emergency preparedness, crime prevention, investigations, police services, and strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
The Chief balances the University's educational mission and values with the responsibilities of a sworn law enforcement agency, exercising sound judgment in complex and often highly visible situations. The position also requires exceptional leadership, integrity, discretion, communication skills, and the ability to build trust across a diverse university community.
Apply By DateSunday, November 1, 2026 at 11:59p PST; screening and selection can begin anytime.
Minimum Qualifications - Must be 21 years or older and a U.S. citizen.
- Must possess a current California POST Management Certificate issued by the Commission on Peace Officers' Standards and Training, or ability to obtain this certificate within one year of appointment for out-of-state candidates.
- Required to hold a valid California driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program
- Bachelor's Degree required
- Command level experience in leading and managing a law enforcement workforce.
- Knowledge of criminal justice system with emphasis on the role of law enforcement as it relates to other agencies within the system, particularly prosecutors and the courts.
- Knowledge of current police methods and procedures, including apprehension and arrest, criminal investigations, collection and presentation of evidence, and police record keeping.
- Knowledge of police operating rules and regulations. Working knowledge of Peace Officers Bill of Rights (POBR). Knowledge of pertinent case law.
- Skills to understand and interpret the rules and regulations of the Police Department, pertinent University and City ordinances and regulations, State and Federal laws and court decisions.
- Oral and written communication skills to develop written narratives, reports, memoranda, correspondence, department policies, procedures and related material and convey them to a diverse community.
- Decision making skills to conduct both routine and complex tasks that require knowledge of law, case law and personnel.
- Organizational skills to achieve timely progress on multiple simultaneous complex projects, distribute effort appropriately among the projects, meet deadlines and maintain a high level of productivity.
- Skills to use police equipment and law enforcement technology, including computer hardware and software, vehicles, firearms, and non-lethal weapons.
- Knowledge to assess performance and communications skills to provide accurate and timely feedback, resolve problems/conflicts, and build effective team environment.
- Skills to develop logical plans, evaluating alternatives and anticipating risks, obstacles, and likely consequences.
- Skills to assess, prioritize, organize and direct others in major event planning or incident response.
Preferred Qualifications - Master's Degree preferred
- Attendance at an advanced law enforcement executive leadership program, such as the FBI National Academy or the Senior Management Institute for Police preferred
- Command-level experience leading and managing a large and complex law enforcement workforce at a multi-site organization, ideally at a university and/or medical center, or similarly complex organization.
Key ResponsibilitiesPolice Operations And Administration (50%)
- Leads two full-service, 24/7/365 police operations on the Davis and Sacramento campuses of significant size and scale. Administers satellite security operations on both campuses for specialized and high-risk areas. F acilitates public safety services for numerous outlying research facilities and clinics.
- Serves as overall commander during an emergency where law enforcement is the lead agency, such as during credible threats, civil unrest, major crimes, and active assailants. Leads the rapid response and deploys appropriate resources during a threat or incident.
- Oversees activities for the safety and protection of controversial speakers, foreign dignitaries, US politicians, and UC officials when they visit UC Davis.
- Oversees patrols of campuses and deploys proactive measures to mitigate crime. Leads the 911 Dispatch and Security Operations Center, a centralized hub serving both the Davis and Sacramento campuses for emergency dispatch and physical-security monitoring during an incident.
- Communicates to the UC Davis community, such as through WarnMe and Aggie Alert, as required by federal law or as deemed necessary to alert and keep the UC Davis community aware of public safety concerns. Communicates highly sensitive matters with empathy to impacted individuals and groups.
- Manages recruitment efforts for both sworn and non-sworn UCDPD staff. Recruits a workforce that is reflective of UC Davis's diverse community. Manages and mentors UCDPD staff, leading the team through change and growth. Works through employee & labor relations situations, including working with police and other UC u nions. Ensures UCDPD training is contemporary and meets or exceeds California POST and ICLEA a ccreditation standards. Improves department morale by measuring engagement and developing action plans to improve engagement.
- Reviews investigation reports issued by the UC Davis Police Accountability Board (PAB) and incorporates their recommendations into training, policies, and operations. The PAB is an independent civilian board of students, faculty and staff that investigate complaints against UC Davis police officers or security personnel and makes recommendations to the Chief that promote accountability, transparency, and trust. With support from budget and finance experts, manages an annual operating budget and allocates financial resources within UCDPD. Accepts fiduciary responsibility for complying with university policy, such as in the procurement of services, equipment, and goods. Stewards all university resources entrusted to UCDPD, including weapons, equipment, fleet, and other physical assets.
- Establish department's strategy goals and objectives. Provides guidance to UCDPD's management team to drive decisions and actions are consistent with organizational goals. Establishes effective measures for
- organizational achievement. Sets high standards and supports continuous improvement.
- Serves as a highly visible university leader who is viewed by stakeholders across both campuses as an approachable, respected, and collaborative subject-matter expert. Continually strives to more effectively engage with the UC Davis's diverse community, such as through various outreach efforts.
- Advises UC Davis executive leadership on public safety matters, including the Chancellor and health system executives. Keeps senior leadership informed of major incidents and threats. Builds strong relations with divisional leaders across both campuses.
- Partners with multiple departments at UC Davis that also have safety responsibilities (Fire, EH&S, Fire Marshal, Transportation, Emergency Management, Risk Management) to prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Participates as an active member of the Emergency Operations Center, serving as incident commander when law enforcement is the lead agency.
- Advances public safety across the UC system by collaborating with other UC police chiefs and UCOP on UC systemwide policies and practices. Participates on UC systemwide committees regarding public safety
- matters.
- Collaborates with surrounding local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in the region as well as with other UC and CSU campuses with respect to mutual aid agreements and other professional commitments. Develops and maintains working relationships with all segments of the criminal justice system including, but not limited to, the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Office of the District Attorney, courts at all levels, and probation offices.
- Develops a range of university standards and policies so that UC Davis operates with consistency, according to best practices, and with clarity about roles and responsibilities.
- Works closely with the privacy office to ensure proper use and retention of sensitive data.
- Leads the planning, procurement and implementation of campus wide security projects.
- Secures physical assets at both campuses, such as through video cameras, access systems, Blue Lights, etc. Uses technological solutions to improve physical security and the efficient and effective delivery of services.
- Conducts security assessments for large / high-profile events. In partnership with Human Resources, dedicates UCDPD resources to conduct timely threat assessments, including workplace violence.
- Collaborates with Design and Construction Management and Facilities Management at all sites to develop security designs and recommendations for new and renovated space, including but not limited to, hospitals, clinics, research facilities, housing, classrooms, and office space.
- Actively engages with students via internships, part-time work, such as through the Aggie Host program. Prepares interested students, staff and community members for future work in law enforcement though multiple UCDPD programs, including the Cadet Program.
Leadership, Partnerships, Planning And Physical Securit y (50%)
- Serves as a highly visible university leader who is viewed by stakeholders across both campuses as an approachable, respected, and collaborative subject-matter expert. Continually strives to more effectively engage with the UC Davis's diverse community, such as through various outreach efforts.
- Advises UC Davis executive leadership on public safety matters, including the Chancellor and health system executives. Keeps senior leadership informed of major incidents and threats. Builds strong relations with divisional leaders across both campuses.
- Partners with multiple departments at UC Davis that also have safety responsibilities (Fire, EH&S, Fire Marshal, Transportation, Emergency Management, Risk Management) to prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Participates as an active member of the Emergency Operations Center, serving as incident commander when law enforcement is the lead agency.
- Advances public safety across the UC system by collaborating with other UC police chiefs and UCOP on UC systemwide policies and practices. Participates on UC systemwide committees regarding public safety
- matters.
- Collaborates with surrounding local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in the region as well as with other UC and CSU campuses with respect to mutual aid agreements and other professional commitments. Develops and maintains working relationships with all segments of the criminal justice system including, but not limited to, the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Office of the District Attorney, courts at all levels, and probation offices.
- Develops a range of university standards and policies so that UC Davis operates with consistency, according to best practices, and with clarity about roles and responsibilities.
- Works closely with the privacy office to ensure proper use and retention of sensitive data.
- Leads the planning, procurement and implementation of campus wide security projects.
- Secures physical assets at both campuses, such as through video cameras, access systems, Blue Lights, etc. Uses technological solutions to improve physical security and the efficient and effective delivery of services.
- Conducts security assessments for large / high-profile events. In partnership with Human Resources, dedicates UCDPD resources to conduct timely threat assessments, including workplace violence.
- Collaborates with Design and Construction Management and Facilities Management at all sites to develop security designs and recommendations for new and renovated space, including but not limited to, hospitals, clinics, research facilities, housing, classrooms, and office space.
- Actively engages with students via internships, part-time work, such as through the Aggie Host program. Prepares interested students, staff and community members for future work in law enforcement though multiple UCDPD programs, including the Cadet Program.
Department OverviewAcross its locations, UC Davis enrolls approximately 39,500 students and employs approximately 33,500 faculty and staff. The Davis campus welcomes more than 1 million visitors annually, with significant increases in visitor counts during major events such as Picnic Day, Aggie Day and athletic competitions. Approximately 1.2 million patient visits UC Davis hospitals and clinics each year, primarily on the Sacramento campus but also at a growing number of regional clinics. In terms of geographic area, UC Davis is the largest UC campus, with 5,300 acres on the Davis campus, 150 acres on the Sacramento campus, and additional acres in outlying areas.
UCDPD's mission is to enhance the safety and quality of life of students, faculty, staff, patients and visitors. UCDPD earned initial accreditation from IACLEA in 2021, with a reaccreditation in 2025 that reaffirmed UCDPD's sustained commitment to professional excellence, accountability and community service.
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