Patrol Captain

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the primary department charged with creating a safe and secure environment at Princeton University. DPS operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and is comprised of 162 staff members. The department consists of professional University police, security officers, dispatchers and administrators dedicated to providing best-in-class service to the community.

DPS was originally recognized and awarded Law Enforcement Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) in July 2015, and subsequently awarded reaccreditation status in July 2018 and July 25, 2022. CALEA serves as the “International Gold Standard for Public Safety Agencies” and oversees a rigorous accreditation process. In addition, DPS was awarded accreditation status by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (NJLEAC) on March 14, 2019, and subsequently awarded reaccreditation status on March 10, 2022 . These awards are a mark of professional excellence and signify that we have earned these distinguished honors through continued compliance with CALEA/NJLEAC Standards. Throughout these processes, we established and implemented policies and practices that meet or exceed the National and State standards, to serve both the Department and the community well in the future.

DPS sworn University Police Officers have the authority of commissioned police officers with full power of arrest deriving their law enforcement authority from New Jersey statutes (Title 18A, Sections 6-4.2 and 6-4.5) and the Trustees of Princeton University. Title 18A, Section 6-4.5 provides that sworn University Police Officers “shall possess all the powers of policemen and constables in criminal cases and offenses against the law anywhere in the State of New Jersey [including the powers of arrest], pursuant to any limitations as may be imposed by the governing body of the institution which appointed and commissioned the person.” DPS sworn University Police Officers are licensed law enforcement officers as defined in NJSA 52:17B-67.

University Police Officers are required to complete the same police academies and annual training as their municipal counterparts. This training has been approved and authorized by the State of New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice Police Training Commission. Our university police officers, who are unarmed on a daily basis, have access to a police service rifle in limited situations. Police officers may access service rifles when there is an in-progress threat with an individual brandishing a firearm, an active shooter, or an individual actively committing serious bodily injury or death with a deadly weapon on or “contiguous” to campus. All police officers have qualified with a firearm while at the police academy and are required to attend mandatory in-service firearms training throughout the year to enable them to perform more efficiently and more safely. DPS has 50 sworn officers including the Assistant Vice President, director of operations, the patrol captain, 5 lieutenants, 7 sergeants, 6 corporals, 3 detectives, 25 police officers, and the communications center manager.

To read the Princeton University Annual Security and Fire Safety Report click here.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Patrol Captain reports directly to the Director of Operations (DO) and is an administrator of the Department of Public Safety (DPS). The Captain is responsible for assisting the Assistant Vice President (AVP) and DO in providing professional and responsive community-orientated law enforcement, along with safety and security services for the Princeton University community. Under the supervision of the DO, the Captain issues lawful orders necessary to ensure the effective performance of the Department and its personnel and is one of the Departmental authorities in matters of policy, operations and discipline.

The final authority for all Departmental matters of policy, operations and discipline is the AVP. The Captain provides overall coordination of all patrol shifts and directly manages the Lieutenants and Sergeants, sworn University Police Officers and non-sworn Security Officers assigned to the patrol division.

The Captain:

• Exercises command responsibility over DPS personnel within guidelines set by the AVP or DO.
• Plans, directs and organizes operational resources to accomplish DPS goals and
• Reviews daily operations, ensuring consistent applications of policies and
• Ensures all incident reports and other administrative paperwork including schedules, overtime assignments, payroll approvals, detail requests, , are complete, accurate, and approved as required.
• Consults with DO and Associate Director of Support Services in matters relating to special events, equipment, and operational needs.
• Backup coordination of overtime for patrol operations and special
• Conducts regular inspections of campus roads, noting safety hazards related to vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
• Ensures compliance with/and proper enforcement of all laws and University regulations which DPS or its officers have the authority to enforce according to professionally recognized
• Evaluates performance of all subordinates and works with shift supervisors to develop training in response to community and DPS needs.
• Initiates investigations of officer misconduct and makes recommendations for further
• Recommends in-service training curriculum for the department to the Administrative Lieutenant and Training Coordinator.
• Serves as liaison with various campus stakeholders including, but not limited to, the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students (ODUS), the Graduate School, Housing and Real Estate Services (HRES), Transportation and Parking Services (TPS), Office of Capital Projects (OCP), etc.
• Cooperates with Federal, State and other local officers in the investigation, apprehension and detention of wanted persons and with other agencies that involves DPS.
• Must have knowledge of progressive community-orientated law enforcement, security and safety practices, police administration, supervision and budget practices, professionally recognized Policies, Procedures, Rules and Regulations standards for Campus Law
• Experience in risk and safety management.
• Excellent communication skills both oral/written and ability to work under significant time constraints and pressure to meet deadlines.

SCHEDULE

DPS is a 24/7, 365-day operation that will require the Captain to be on call and work non-standard hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

ACADEMIC YEAR SCHEDULE (September - May)

Monday Off

Tuesday 10:00am to 6:00pm

Wednesday 10:00am to 6:00pm

Thursday 3:00pm to 11:00pm

Friday 3:00pm to 11:00pm

Saturday 3:00pm to 11:00pm

Sunday Off

SUMMER SCHEDULE (June, July, August)

Monday 8:30am to 4:30pm

Tuesday 8:30am to 4:30pm

Wednesday 8:30am to 4:30pm

Thursday 8:30am to 4:30pm

Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm

Saturday Off

Sunday Off

The schedule is always subject to change based on operational needs.

• Valid NJ Police license in good standing and meets all statutory requirements to maintain license.
• Current New Jersey Police Officer certification (PTC).
• Must be able to qualify with the required firearms.
• Must have a valid motor vehicle driver's
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education or equivalent work
• Work experience minimum of 10 years with at least five years at the supervisory level.
• Sufficient combination of education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, talents, strengths, and abilities required for the position
• Knowledge of progressive community-orientated law enforcement, security and safety practices.
• Knowledge of professionally recognized Policies, Procedures, Rules and Regulations standards for a Campus Law Enforcement Agency.
• Knowledge of the Department's policies and procedures.
• Knowledge and experience in risk and safety management.
• Current certification in First Aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Defensive Tactics, and Suicide Prevention.
• Exemplary communication skills including the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Knowledge of:
  • Principles of leadership and management, project management, and training and development.
  • Operation of modern and complex public safety communications systems and equipment including but not limited to Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) programs and related emergency systems.
  • Relevant rules, regulations and statutes of state, local and University laws, codes and regulations.
  • Basic principles of human resource management principles; techniques of personnel supervision, local, state and/or federal labor practices and training.
  • Principles and practices of office management, budget preparation and administration.
• Ability to:
  • Work with considerable independent judgment, analysis and evaluation.
  • Use initiative in coping with unusual situations and circumstances to resolve them.
  • Work variable shifts, be flexible in hours of attendance including nights, weekends and holidays.
  • Respond at any time during as emergency response to critical incidents involving the campus or its staff.
  • Exercise calm, professional behavior when exposed to stressful situations while maintaining a high level of efficiency.
  • Make critical decisions that will affect campus wide response and reaction.
  • Plan, organize, supervise, train and evaluate the activities of the patrol division.
  • Maintain work effectiveness with frequent changes in workload and priority of assignment.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relations with a variety of individuals and groups on and off campus.
  • Interpret and explain policies and procedures.
  • Research, analyze, and evaluate new equipment, program techniques and methods and procedures.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A master’s degree
• Five-year tenure in the Princeton University Department of Public Safety or comparable experience as a Campus Law Enforcement Officer.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS)

• This not a sedentary position. Must be able to: remain on feet for periods of time, stoop, kneel, crouch, lift, carry, push, pull, climb, balance, walk, and run; and to restrain, lift and/or carry adults of varying weights.
• Moderate physical activity. Must be able to exert up to thirty pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Must be physically able to operate a variety of machines and equipment including automobile, office equipment, radio, telephone, etc.
• Work involves considerable exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures and loud noises.
• Work environment involves moderate exposure to hazards and physical risks to personal safety. Must be physically fit and able to defend oneself or others from attack or physical assault.
• Must have 20/20 or 20/30 vision either naturally or with corrective lenses.
• Must be able to wear the required uniform including, but not limited to, protective vests.
• Must be able to meet Post Offer Pre-Employment (POPE) requirements for hire, transfers, promotions and/or lay-basic placement.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

PI241015720