CHIEF, CAMPUS POLICE
Career Family: CHIEF
Chief, Campus Police is a competitive state title, the kind you test for: the exam result, not a hiring manager's pick, decides where you land in line.
You can qualify with a bachelor's degree or, if you do not have one, by piling up more experience instead. Pay on the FY2026 schedule runs $88,530 to $130,339.
How to apply
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Exam
This is an application to sit an exam and be placed on an eligible list for this title, not an application for a specific job. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. There may be no current vacancy behind it, and the list it produces may not be certified for months or years.
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Exam
Open to permanent employees in the competitive division who hold a qualifying lower title in the same unit. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. Like the open competitive exam, this places you on a list; it is not itself a job offer.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator.
Definition
Under the direction of an administrator in a state college/university, directs, plans and coordinates the activities, programs, operations and staff of a Campus Police Department; directs and oversees sworn officers and other staff responsible for the enforcement of laws and campus regulations, security and safety of students, faculty and visitors, and the protection of campus property; works in conjunction with municipal, county, state and federal law enforcement personnel; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Directs, plans, and manages all functions and operations of the Campus Police Department in the enforcement of laws and campus regulations, the prevention of crime, and protection of life and property. Coordinates and administers security, safety, and protection programs through the chain-of-command. Directs the activities of subordinate supervisors and officers involved in law enforcement, traffic control, preventative patrol, and other campus police activities. Plans, implements, and evaluates program policies, procedures, and general orders to ensure that the protocols for all police activities and day-to-day operations meet law enforcement standards. Oversees the recruitment and candidate process for law enforcement personnel, including background investigations, interviews, candidate selection, drug screening, and medical and psychological evaluations. Certifies that law enforcement candidates are eligible to attend a police academy in accordance with Police Training Commission requirements. Identifies issues of concern requiring legislative action, administrative code changes, policy development, and changes in standard operating procedures. Directs the administration of established procedures for the execution of campus police powers. Oversees the activities of sworn officers involved in the apprehension and taking into custody of law violators; performs said duties when necessary. Analyzes police and safety operations, determines internal organization of the department, and formulates departmental rules/regulations in accordance with local, state, and federal regulation/laws, and university policies and procedures. Develops emergency response programs and assists other agencies with the allocation of law enforcement personnel and equipment to meet emergency situations. Oversees subordinate supervisors and officers engaged in the regulation and control of vehicular and pedestrian traffic and the interpretation and enforcement of traffic and parking regulations. Develops the standards and protocols for and manages the investigation of complaints of misconduct against law enforcement personnel and other matters including the use of force, pursuits, discharge of firearms, and those complaints of a confidential and/or complicated nature. Oversees subordinate supervisors and staff engaged in rescue operations. Acts as liaison with municipal, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies, and oversees campus police department in collaborative work with outside law enforcement agencies. Directs campus police department response to crime, disaster, medical or disturbance scene. Directs the planning and implementation of a schedule of inspection and maintenance for police and safety equipment and patrol vehicles. Plans, implements, and directs programs for the maintenance of order at public gathering places. Plans, implements, and directs programs for campus police coverage of special events or details; participates in coverage when required. Oversees the scheduling and assignment of staff. Directs the investigation of criminal, civil, and motor vehicle complaints committed by or against the college community. Plans and directs training programs to provide current information and techniques to subordinates. Works with designated university division(s) in the distribution of information pertaining to crime statistics and security measures. Assists in the development of educational programs for faculty, staff, and students. Directs the collection of and interprets information and data for law enforcement reports for campus police, Division of Criminal Justice, New Jersey State Police, the FBI, and other law enforcement agencies. Serves as the university appointed representative at law enforcement meetings, conferences, and seminars. Presents budget estimates, controls expenditures of departmental appropriations, and establishes operational standards for the department; may develop departmental budget. Keeps current with federal, state, and local laws and regulations as applied to university law enforcement. Provides testimony under oath in a court of law. Directs the execution of official documents such as warrants and subpoenas. Directs the conduct of searches of persons, premises, automobiles or property, where probable cause has been established. Advises subordinate supervisors on the handling of criminal activity, unresolved incidents and other police matters; acts as mentor to subordinate supervisors and staff. Plans, reviews and implements protocol for establishing and maintaining field contacts and intelligence sources. Directs the investigation of complaints involving misconduct, suspicious behavior, illegal activities and other areas of police operations. Manages the work operations and functional programs and has responsibility for employee evaluations and for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees. Directs the preparation of clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Directs the establishment and maintenance of records and files. Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.
Requirements
Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Nine (9) years of professional experience as a law enforcement officer in an organized police agency, two (2) years of which shall have been in the Lieutenant Campus Police title. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and five (5) years of the above- mentioned experience, two (2) years of which shall have Lieutenant Campus Police title. "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgement and make accurate and informed decisions. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS : CITIZENSHIP: United States Citizenship AGE: Minimum of 18 years of age SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must have successfully completed a police training course administered by the Police Training Commission. This training includes successful attainment at a level of proficiency in the use of firearms.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of the law enforcement principles, practices, and techniques required to develop and manage law enforcement programs. Knowledge of supervisory principles, personnel practices, and techniques. Knowledge of the policies and procedures required in directing police force operations, internal organization, and work programs. Knowledge of the structure and functions of local, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Knowledge of the methods used in providing police/security information, services, and protection. Knowledge of federal, state, local, and university procedures, policies, regulations, and laws. Knowledge of the methods used to conduct inspections and investigations. Knowledge of the methods used to detect, apprehend, and arrest law violators. Knowledge of the methods used to maintain order in buildings, campus grounds, and among visitors. Knowledge of the methods used to control and regulate pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Knowledge of basic first aid. Knowledge of resources available from other agencies, such as K-9 units, the State Police Laboratory, the Medical Examiner, and the Fire Department. Knowledge of investigative resources such as NCIC/SCIC and ATS/ACS. Knowledge of federal, state, local, and campus police department guidelines in the use and discharge of firearms. Knowledge of the requirements and standard procedures of courtroom testimony. Ability to plan and implement campus police department procedures, rules, and regulations. Ability to direct subordinate supervisors and other staff engaged in campus police activities. Ability to devise and implement a schedule of inspection and maintenance for police and safety equipment, and patrol vehicles. Ability to come up with educational programs in order to enhance the skillsets of campus police officers. Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of the police program and develop and implement changes as needed. Ability to prepare and manage the budget for the campus police department, and to make effective use of budgeted funds, personnel, equipment, and quarters. Ability to give assignments and instructions to individuals and groups, provide them with advice and assistance when difficult or unusual problems arise, and check their work to ensure that proper procedures are followed and desired objectives achieved. Ability to handle and use firearms, batons, chemical agents, and other law enforcement equipment safely and properly and to meet established proficiency standards and perform law enforcement functions as the need dictates. Ability to assess the need for additional emergency assistance such as ambulance, fire, and Haz-Mat. Ability to ascend and descend stairs/ladders during alarms or responses to calls. Ability to recognize unusual behavior and effectively command the department's response to volatile situations. Ability to communicate courteously and effectively with individuals of diverse backgrounds. Ability to effectively interview people. Ability to analyze and interpret laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, standards, and procedures and apply them to specific situations/cases. Ability to provide testimony under oath in a court of law. Ability to prepare and direct the preparation of clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to direct the establishment and maintenance of records and files. Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Candidates certified from the eligible list for this title may be required to undergo a medical examination administered by the appointing authority. Appointees to this position must successfully qualify semi-annually in the use of firearms.