Part-Time University Police Officer

Purpose of this Position:

The WNE University Department of Public Safety is tasked with providing a safe and secure environment for our community members to live, learn, and work. Our department adopts a hybrid model with fully sworn and certified university Police Officers that work in conjunction with non-sworn civilian Community Service Officers. Together we operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Positions in this classification are unique to the campus. There are no similar positions in other departments. The Department operates on a 24–hour–a–day schedule, and University Police Officers must be able to work any shift. They must exercise considerable discretion while being responsible for maintaining order and safety for all members of the University community. The person assigned to this position must have high moral standards, be neat, personable, articulate, and capable of maintaining his/her composure under stressful situations.

Essential Duties:

The University Police Officer creates and maintains a safe and secure environment for the students, faculty, and staff. This is accomplished through proactive community and problem oriented policing as well as leveraging partnerships and collaboration across campus to foster a safe community. Specifically, the University Police Officer will be expected to do the following:

• Protect life and property. Working as a member of a team, and in problem-solving partnerships with the community, actively seeks to identify safety and security-related problems and concerns and take the necessary steps to resolve those problems or concerns efficiently and effectively.
• Respond safely and rapidly to emergency calls for police service, such as reports of crimes in progress, suspected criminal activity, medical emergencies, environmental emergencies, fires, fire alarms, motion and intrusion alarms, and accidents etc. Render aid and assistance to victims, advising them of available services, and making appropriate referrals to available resources. Conduct thorough investigations of incidents and follow-up investigations as assigned.
• Following law, best practices, and as well as established policies and procedures, properly responding to and reporting incidents that violate law, including arresting violators, seeking criminal summonses, testifying in a court of law, and other duties associated with the criminal justice system or university rules and regulations.
• Prevent criminal activity in and around WNE University through highly visible, omnipresent police patrols. Attend community events and speak to students, faculty, and/or staff.
• Using analytical data to educate and inform preventative patrol tactics and problem-solving strategies.
• Performing traffic direction, parking enforcement, and crowd control duties as assigned.
• Knowledge of police practices and investigative procedures of a comprehensive campus law enforcement program.
• Knowledge of and ability to interpret, apply, and make decisions following pertinent state and local laws and regulations.
• Operate specialized law enforcement equipment, including police vehicles, radios, software and video systems.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; and respond well to questions.

Marginal Duties:
In addition to the functions outlined above, the Campus Police Officer may, at times, be subject to the following:

• Regularly attend meetings and sit on various boards comprised of campus partners.
• Regularly prepare incident and accident reports for supervisory review and possible dissemination.
• Respect and maintain confidentiality, parameters of operation, professional protocols, and individual privacy.
• Perform other duties assigned by the supervisor or their designee.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

The Campus Police Officer is a position of authority with enforcement responsibilities and is widely held to a higher standard within the WNE Community and the larger community abroad. Therefore, candidates should have the following characteristics to be successful:

• Candidates should hold themselves and their peers to a high ethical standard and be capable of enforcing policies, procedures, and laws accordingly.
• Candidates should have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to establish effective communication with a diverse population.
• Candidates should have the ability to think critically, often quickly and with limited information, to make difficult and impactful decisions.
• Candidates should have a high level of attention to detail.

Ergonomic Requirements:

• Must be able to run in certain situations.
• Must be able to possess and demonstrate self-defense skills when called upon.
• Ability to work outside in all types of weather.
• Ability to climb stairs, walk, or stand for extended periods.
• Ability to safely operate a vehicle under all types of conditions.
• Must be able to identify and accurately relay a person’s specific physical characteristics, read letters and numbers clearly from a distance.

Hours:

Department hours are 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Employees must be able to work any one of the scheduled shifts.

Minimum Qualifications:

The WNE Department of Public Safety will prefer academy-trained and POST-certified candidates for the position of University Police Officer. The following is required for all candidates; however, please note the specific requirements for entry-level candidates.

• Candidate must possess a High School diploma or GED equivalent.
• Candidate must be at least 21 years of age.
• Candidate must have an active Driver's License.
• Candidate must be eligible for appointment as Special State Police Officer in accordance with M.G.L. ch.22 s. 63 and able to maintain their eligibility for the duration of their employment.
• Candidate must be eligible for the Massachusetts Peace Officers Standards and Training Certification (POSTC) and remain a Certified Officer for the duration of their employment.
• Entry Level Candidate must successfully pass the Human Resources Division (HRD) comprehensive medical exam.
• Entry Level Candidate must successfully pass the Human Resources Division (HRD) Physical Ability Test (PAT).
• Entry Level Candidate will be required to attend and complete a Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC) certified basic police Recruit Officer Course.
• Candidate will be required to successfully complete a prescribed Field Training Program.
• Candidate will be required to pass a comprehensive background investigation, a pre-employment psychological examination, and a pre-employment medical exam.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Candidate would have obtained their POST Certification by having completed a Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC) Basic Recruit Officer Academy and/or obtained a permanent exemption from the Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC) that has been approved and accepted by the Massachusetts State Police.
• Candidate would have active certifications in First Responder, CPR, and AED.
• Candidate would have campus municipal, state law enforcement experience.
• Candidate would know police procedures and practices, the laws of arrest and criminal procedures.

Selection Process:

1. Submit resume or application to the University Human Resources Department.
2. Oral interview with Command Staff.
3. Pass a background check.