Description

Market Range: 15 | Hiring Salary: $6,735.34 – $9,429.47/Monthly

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center is seeking an experienced, forward-thinking law enforcement leader to serve as Police Deputy Chief for the UTHSC Campus Police Department. Reporting directly to the Chief of Campus Police, the Deputy Chief serves as the department’s second-in-command and plays a critical leadership role in advancing a safe, secure, and service-oriented campus environment.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a collaborative and innovative public safety professional to help shape the future of campus policing at Tennessee’s flagship academic health science institution. The Deputy Chief will lead strategic initiatives, oversee daily operations, mentor personnel, and strengthen partnerships across the university and surrounding community while promoting a culture grounded in integrity, accountability, transparency, and respect.

Why Join UTHSC? At UTHSC, campus safety is more than enforcement it is partnership, preparedness, and community engagement. The Deputy Chief will have the opportunity to:

• Help lead a modern, progressive campus police department focused on innovation and continuous improvement.
• Influence strategic initiatives that directly impact the safety and wellbeing of students, faculty, staff, patients, and visitors.
• Work in a dynamic academic healthcare environment alongside university leadership and emergency management professionals.
• Champion officer development, organizational culture, and employee retention initiatives.
  Drive advancements in public safety technology, emergency preparedness, and community policing strategies.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a proven public safety leader who demonstrates strong operational expertise, exceptional judgment, and a commitment to collaborative leadership. Successful candidates will possess the ability to build trust, lead through change, foster accountability, and cultivate meaningful relationships across diverse campus and community stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with the Chief of Police to develop and implement long-range strategic plans that support departmental growth, modernization, and alignment with the mission and values of UTHSC.
• Evaluate and implement best practices in campus law enforcement, including data-informed policing strategies, threat assessment protocols, and emerging public safety trends.
• Lead initiatives that strengthen departmental culture, morale, communication, employee engagement, and professional development.
• Direct and oversee daily law enforcement operations, including patrol services, criminal investigations, special event security, and emergency response activities.
• Oversee internal affairs investigations, personnel evaluations, and disciplinary processes while ensuring fairness, consistency, and accountability.
• Serve as Acting Chief of Police in the absence of the Chief.
• Lead departmental efforts related to crime prevention, emergency preparedness, community policing, and campus outreach.
• Evaluate and recommend enhancements to law enforcement technologies, including dispatch systems, surveillance infrastructure, mobile data systems, and integrated campus safety solutions.
• Support or lead incident command operations during critical incidents, including active threats, severe weather events, public health emergencies, and other major incidents.
• Oversee the integration and effectiveness of campus safety systems, including access control, emergency notification platforms, and threat detection technologies.
• Collaborate with university leadership on departmental budgeting, procurement, resource allocation, and operational planning.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop command staff, sworn officers, and civilian personnel to promote leadership growth and operational excellence.
• Serve as a key member of the university’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and participate in continuity of operations planning.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, university policies, and professional accreditation standards, including CALEA, IACLEA, and TLEA.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the department and university mission

Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s Degree. (Master’s Degree preferred.) (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)

Experience:  Five (5) years or more of progressively responsible law enforcement experience; OR a combination of college coursework and related work experience to equal nine (9) years to include five (5) years of supervisory or command role. 

License/Certification: Certification as a law enforcement officer in the State of Tennessee or ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire. Must maintain a valid TN Driver’s License and current certification with the POST Commission.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Knowledge of Clery Act, Title IX, and other relevant compliance frameworks. Proven leadership in a campus, municipal, or comparable law enforcement agency. 

Work Schedule: This position may occasionally be required to work weekends, evenings, and holidays. May occasionally require overnight travel.