Commander, Public Safety (10007949)

Key Responsibilities:

Operational
Leadership

• Oversees daily operations within the assigned division to ensure efficient, proactive, and high-quality police
  services.
• Develops deployment strategies using crime analysis, campus activity patterns, and other data-driven
  insights.
• Leads critical incident response, emergency operations, and major event security planning.
• Aligns divisional goals
  and priorities with the department’s mission and strategic direction.

Strategic & Executive
Responsibilities

• Contributes to departmental strategic planning, goal setting, and performance measurement.
• Uses
  modern policing technologies such as real-time analytics, body-worn cameras, and early intervention tools.
• Participates in
  accountability processes such as CompStat-style reviews.

Community Policing & Relationship
Building

• Advances a community-focused policing philosophy centered on visibility, trust, and collaboration.
• Builds
  relationships with campus departments, medical center partners, student groups, and external agencies.
• Supports safety education,
  outreach programs, and problem-solving initiatives.

Personnel Leadership & Development

• Supervises
  lieutenants, sergeants, officers, detectives, and/or civilian staff.
• Provides coaching, mentoring, and performance evaluations to
  support employee development.
• Identifies training needs and promotes professional growth and operational excellence.
• Fosters
  a culture of accountability, service, and continuous improvement.

Policy, Accreditation &
Compliance

• Ensures compliance with university policies, state and federal laws, and accreditation standards such as CALEA
  and IACLEA.
• Oversees inspections, audits, and internal reviews to maintain quality and consistency.
• Contributes to policy
  development and updates aligned with best practices.
• Supports internal investigations and professional standards functions as
  required.

Administrative & Resource Management

• Manages staffing, scheduling, personnel assignments, leave
  approvals, and overtime usage.
• Develops operating plans, budget recommendations, and resource management
  strategies.
• Prepares operational summaries, after-action reports, and other data-based assessments for leadership.
• Oversees
  the efficient use of equipment, vehicles, facilities, and specialized resources.

Technology, Data & Modern Policing
Practices

• Uses analytics tools, digital evidence systems, and RMS/CAD platforms to guide operations.
• Encourages
  innovation, efficiency, and evidence-based policing.
• Supports implementation of new technology and integrates it into division
  operations.

Event, Emergency & Campus Operations

• Manages police operations for major campus events,
  athletic contests, demonstrations, and dignitary visits.
• Works with emergency management on planning, exercises, and coordinated
  response.
• Ensures readiness for natural disasters, medical emergencies, security threats, and other critical
  incidents.

Other Duties

• Represents the department on committees, task forces, boards, and interagency
  groups.
• Performs other responsibilities as assigned by the Deputy Chief of Police or Chief of
  Police.

Qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s
  degree preferred.
• Completion of professional leadership programs such as FBI National Academy or Northwestern School of Police Staff
  and Command preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of ten years of law enforcement experience, including five years
  in a supervisory capacity.
• Experience in campus law enforcement or complex institutional policing
  preferred.

Competencies

• Excellent leadership, communication, conflict resolution, and analytical
  skills.
• Ability to manage sensitive situations with discretion and professionalism.
• Ability to work varying hours, including
  nights, weekends, or during emergencies.

Assessment Requirement

Candidates must successfully pass the
Police Commander Assessment Process to be eligible for promotion or appointment to this role. This assessment evaluates
leadership competencies, critical decision-making, operational knowledge, communication skills, and readiness to perform at the command
levelthe

Required Skills

• Crime Prevention – VU
• Crime Scene Investigation – VU
• Crowd
  Control – VU
• De-escalation Techniques – VU
• Emergency Response Planning – VU
• Evidence Collection – VU
• Incident Command Systems – VU
• Law Enforcement Practices – VU
• Patrolling – VU
• Report Writing – VU
• Search and Seizure – VU

About Us

At Vanderbilt University , our work – regardless of title or role – is in service to an important and noble mission in
which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been
named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for
several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create,
foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice.

We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a
career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part
of our story.

Vanderbilt University 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, or status as a
protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Job Info

• Job Identification 10007949
• Posting Date 02/27/2026, 01:45 PM
• Locations Nashville, TN, United States
• Apply Before 03/06/2026, 01:00 AM
• Job Schedule Full time
• Job Category Public Safety
• Job Function Police
• Management Level Management 4

Tagged as: Employment