Police Captain

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 09-03-2025

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The UC Santa Cruz Police Department is responsible for all law enforcement services, including maintenance of order, crime prevention and education programs, emergency preparedness and incident response, community policing, and participates in mutual aid agreements with neighboring law enforcement agencies and other UC campuses statewide. The police department also has responsibility for Emergency Management, Police Student Ambassador Program, crime prevention, and physical security systems.

The Police Department is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week operation. The UC Santa Cruz Police Department seeks to hire individuals who embrace working within a diverse community, who can also: Communicate effectively with students, staff, faculty and community members who come to UC Santa Cruz from varied backgrounds; Foster trust, credibility and collaboration with the campus community; And demonstrate teamwork and collaboration that advances safety and security for the UC Santa Cruz community.

More information can be found at: https://police.ucsc.edu

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting directly to the Chief of Police, the Police Captain assists in the administration, planning, and coordination of the University's police and security activities for the entire University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) campus, and manages police operations including patrol, emergency response, maintenance of order, the suppression of crime, emergency tactical response, mutual aid within and outside the UC system, investigations, dispatch, etc. on the UCSC campus and UCSC owned properties. Additionally, the Police Captain keeps the Chief of Police thoroughly informed of all operational, personnel, and, when appropriate, budgetary issues and is responsible for planning and managing major campus events.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $220,000 - $235,000/annually. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Sun, TBD
• Shift Includes: Day, evening, night, weekend, holidays, critical incidents and events

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 005979 (POLICE CAPTAIN MGR 2) - Grade 28

Travel: Up to 25% of the time

JOB DUTIES

40% - Management

• Provide leadership and command of the Department in the absence of the Chief.
• Provide leadership and motivation to promote effective teamwork and individual achievement within the Department.
• Establish, implement, and evaluate department goals, objectives, policies, and procedures within the context of the University's mission and relevant legal requirements.
  *In accordance with the IACLEA accreditation manager, the Captain will, under supervision of the Chief of Police, conduct advanced analysis of unique and highly complex issues involving self-assessment, development, implementation, of the department's accreditation by IACLEA and thoroughly analyzes departmental and system-wide policies and processes to ensure compliance with accreditation standards, oftentimes making recommendations for changes or improvements. Additionally, the Captain serves as the subject matter expert on policies, programs, procedures, and training.
• Plan, direct, and manage the daily operation of several Police Department functions and special operations: patrol, investigations, civilian complaints, administrative investigations, crime prevention, records management, after-hours parking enforcement, general clerical assistance, dispatch, traffic enforcement, and community policing/engagement.
• Plan, organize, and direct police tactical operations at major events and protests. Coordinate mutual aid agreements with other UC, federal, state and local police departments.
• Manage the effective allocation of human and financial resources within the Department to meet the objectives of ensuring equitable protection of life and property against violence, loss, or disorder while upholding constitutional rights to liberty, equality and justice.
• Manage personnel, including hiring, training, promoting, and corrective action if needed.
• Coordinate with Labor Relations, Staff Affirmative Action, and Human Resource departments during sensitive investigations and while developing policies and procedures.
• Represent the Police Department in interviews with the media as directed, and coordinate information exchange with the campus Public Information Officer.
• Serve as the Custodian of Records responsible for the production of reports required by Department of Justice (DOJ,) the federal government, and University Systemwide policy.
• Manage the Department receipt and response to all motions for pretrial discovery in both criminal and civil motions. Direct response to requests for release of records from victims and attorneys. Represent the Department in court regarding such motions.

25% - Supervision

• Provide direct supervision to the managers in charge of units within the Department.
• Provide indirect supervision to patrol officers, administrative assistants, and dispatchers.
• Review unit performance and ensure adherence to minimum standards.
• Provide direction for subordinate performance, guidance, evaluation, and corrective action.
• Supervise the investigation of civilian complaints and administrative investigations.
• Supervise complex and/or sensitive criminal investigations, providing leadership and direction to subordinates.
• Oversee recruitment, hiring, and retention for all police department personnel.

25% - Planning

• Conduct long-and short-range planning for the units within the reporting structure .
• Provide primary assistance in the formulation of policies, procedures, and protocols for the Department. Conduct legal research and analysis in order to author Department policies and procedures.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate programs which are responsive to the unique needs of the campus community. This may include assessing program needs, researching existing programs and methods, analyzing internal resources, educating the community, training officers, developing policies, liaising with the campus, and recommending equipment and strategies.
• Provide consultative and administrative support to the campus community on matters involving safety and security. At the direction of the Chief, advise the Chancellor and other top campus administrators on a variety of issues relating to critical incidents which involve the safety and security of the entire campus community.
• Collaborate with other law enforcement and governmental agencies to provide the campus community with a safe environment and in response to emergencies. Meet with local and UC law enforcement and criminal justice representatives, community, and campus groups to develop partnerships and solutions to problems, and to further the interests and mission of the police department and campus.
• Assist the Chief with budget analysis, preparation and projections to ensure sound financial operations of the department.
• Maintain operational budget oversight to ensure efficient use of overtime and spending to meet budget goals.

10% - Investigations

• Conduct sensitive internal, criminal, and background investigations as assigned by the Chief.
• Serve as alternate Police Department representative on the campus Behavioral Risk Assessment Team ensuring appropriate assessment of potential for workplace violence and, when appropriate initiates law enforcement actions.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Experience as a lieutenant or other sworn police manager.
• Experience setting a positive example through work habits, bearing, work product and behavior. Outstanding leadership skills with the ability to affect change and motivate employees.
• Experience managing short-term and multi-year projects.
• Experience administering procedures for scheduling, business documentation, complaint investigation, training, records management, public safety dispatching, officer safety, compliance with all applicable laws related to law enforcement.
• Knowledge and understanding of State and federal requirements regarding Equal Employment Opportunity, and laws against employment discrimination and harassment.
• Knowledge and understanding of Workplace violence, relationship violence, and stalking issues, legal resources, assessment criteria, and mitigation measures.
• Knowledge and understanding of Crime prevention through environmental design concepts and general crime prevention principles and practices.
• Knowledge and understanding of Applicable statutory codes, court decisions, criminal and civil law and procedures, civil and liability issues.
• Knowledge and understanding of Hiring practices, union interactions, labor law and personnel administration, progressive discipline, Peace Officers Procedural Bill of Rights.
• Knowledge and understanding of Laws and regulations pertaining to the control of police records, laws of records discovery and the process of handling discovery motions.
• Skills and experience to plan and execute police missions in the field involving day-to-day preventative patrol services, demonstrations and protests, hazardous containment operations, special tactical situations and special events management.
• Ability to provide a positive work environment and take appropriate action for performance problems of subordinates.
• Ability to effectively delegate and accept accountability for the work of subordinates.
• Ability to identify strengths and weaknesses of subordinates in order to develop potential and promote career development. Ability to use appropriate recruitment and hiring options and ensure subordinate managers are aware of upward mobility opportunities.
• Thoroughness and attention to detail in written communication. Demonstrated ability to write accurate, detailed and concise reports, summaries and correspondence using proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Ability to provide information and express complex ideas clearly, concisely, and persuasively in individual and group situations.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with all levels of management in the department and in the campus and local community.
• Ability to listen attentively and with comprehension and interact with people in a manner showing concern for the individual and sensitivity to personal differences and sensitivity to the varying communication requirements of different audiences and situations.
• Ability to use initiative and logic to solve problems, manage effectively under stressful situations, prioritize work, and act decisively, often in situations that are ambiguous and without precedent. Ability to maintain composure and exercise self-control to prevent emotions from interfering in making logical and timely decisions.
• Ability to follow through on assignments and plans. Ability to adapt to and carry out requests and direction of superiors.
• Ability to analyze a variety of complex, multifaceted issues quickly, appropriately, and with the innovation that the moment demands. Ability to plan for worst-case scenarios and be able to adjust plans and respond appropriately. Ability to respond to and adjust to an ever-changing environment that is decentralized, diverse, and complex.
• Ability to project and predict the needs of the department and to develop procedures to allocate resources appropriately, implementing ideas to improve the effectiveness of the organization in accomplishing its mission.
• Ability to develop knowledge of internal and external resources for information and the ability to judge what information should be disseminated to different levels of management.
• Ability to work with a clear understanding of and strong commitment to the principles of Community Oriented Policing and public service.
• Ability to conduct and oversee complex criminal and administrative investigations.
• Ability to take command in emergency situations, including but not limited to protests, natural disasters, bomb threats, and major cases. Ability during emergency incidents to prepare and deliver oral presentations and chair/attend committees. Ability to take appropriate enforcement action and perform public service activities.
  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree.
• Currently employed with at least 3 years as UC Police Lieutenant or higher, and possession of a POST Advanced Certificate.
• 7 years of employment as a police lieutenant, captain, assistant chief or higher in California with progressively more responsibility including significant managerial duties and possession of or ability to immediately obtain upon hire, a valid California Peace Officer Standards of Training (POST) Certificate.
• Knowledge and understanding of University of California Community Safety Plan, Vehicles, Uniforms and Equipment Workgroup recommendations, investigative methods, management philosophies, law enforcement practices and legal issues related to campus policing.
• Working knowledge of illness and injury case management and employee wellness.
• Working knowledge of law enforcement accreditation requirements.
  

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to successfully complete a pre-hire criminal history background check and a pre-hire credentialing check.
• Employee will be a staff member of the UC Santa Cruz Police Department and therefore must pass a thorough background investigation of personal and work history, including a fingerprint check of criminal history, psychological exam, drug screening, medical screening, and a credit check, and possess a valid California driver's license. As part of the background investigation process, you may be subjected to a detection of deception examination, such as a polygraph or voice stress analysis to verify the truthfulness of information that applicants have provided on the PHS and to the background investigator directly.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Must possess CPR/First Aid/AED certification or have the ability to obtain it within 60-calendar days of hire.
• Must possess a valid license to drive in the state of California and participate in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) pull notice program.
• Interviewees will be required to provide a current DMV record.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• Ability to walk multiple nightly rounds on uneven surfaces and repeatedly climb stairs.
• Ability to perform work in a rugged physical environment and inclement weather with challenging infrastructure requirements.
• Ability to walk to and work in remote areas with rugged terrain, heavy brush, biting and stinging insects, bears and mountain lions.
• Poison Oak is present. Incumbent must be willing to take the measures required to work in contact with and cut/remove poison oak.
• Ability to do occasional work in confined spaces such as attics and trenches while bending, stooping and/or kneeling with the possibility of being exposed to live electrical circuits and machinery.
• Must have the ability to: operate a vacuum, floor scrubber, and polisher; use cleaning chemical compounds; perform essential custodial duties including dumping bags into dumpster or moving equipment and materials with or without accommodations.
• Ability to successfully work with and around a variety of fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides.
• Ability to conduct outdoor site visits, including use of required personal protective equipment, as required to conduct investigations, inspections, or view work in place.
• Ability to sustain exposure to dusty, noisy environments and inclement weather as necessary to carry out assigned duties and responsibilities.
• Ability to safely perform the physical requirements necessary to move light to moderate objects up to 60 lbs., with or without accommodation.
• The selected candidate will be required to work all scheduled hours on-site.
• Ability to work a variable schedule including evenings and weekends.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed.
• Ability to work on-call.
• Ability to respond to emergencies after hours as necessary.
• Selected candidate will be required to provide proof of negative TB test.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Clery Act: This position has been identified as a Campus Security Authority (CSA); required to report crimes, incidents, and disciplinary referral statistics as required by the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (20 USC * 1092(f)).
• Ability to work safely in areas where hazardous materials are present or stored.
• Ability to wear a respirator in accordance with the California Code of Regulations Title 8, 5144.
• Ability to read signs and follow directions on labels that are written in English as well as ability to read and understand Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and the proper use of chemical compounds.
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus.
• Ability to travel within a defined regional or service area.
• Will be required to wear a University provided uniform.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.