Chief of Police

12-Jun-2025

Chief of Police

Harvard University Police Department

68375BR

Job Summary

The University

Founded in 1636, Harvard University is the oldest university in North America and one of the world’s preeminent research universities. The University has grown from nine students to a community of over 25,000 students and nearly 20,000 faculty and staff across twelve undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools. The University maintains a substantial physical plant totaling approximately 25 million gross square feet across more than 500 buildings, situated on 600 acres in Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts.

Harvard’s faculties oversee its twelve schools and colleges: the Faculty of Arts and Sciences; Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences; the Faculty of Medicine (including Harvard Medical School and the School of Dental Medicine); the Graduate School of Business Administration; the Graduate School of Design; the Divinity School; the Graduate School of Education; the Harvard Kennedy School of Government; Harvard Law School; the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health; and the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study.

Overview

Harvard University is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and engaging Chief of Police to lead the Harvard University Police Department (HUPD). The Chief of Police will play a pivotal role in ensuring overall campus safety and this individual will provide leadership in public safety strategies, law enforcement and emergency response, while fostering positive relationships between the police department and the campus community. The HUPD collaborates with university partners to create and foster a safe, secure campus through education, community service, and strategic enforcement. HUPD utilizes specialized training, community policing strategies, and strong partnerships to enhance the university's living and learning environment.

Reporting to the Executive Vice President, the Chief of Police oversees the managerial and financial operations of the Harvard University police force. The Chief of Police will manage a $17.3M budget and will direct a department of 77 staff members, 56 of whom are sworn officers.

The Chief also provides oversight to Harvard’s security force, outsourced to an external vendor. The selected candidate will be responsible for protecting the University community and its property, and ensuring compliance with state, local and federal law in a manner consistent with the values and expectations of the University.
Of note, the Harvard University Police Department operates within a complex law enforcement environment that includes Massachusetts State Police, Cambridge Police Department, Boston Police Department, MBTA Transit Police, and other local municipal police departments. Therefore, success in this role requires active partnership and collaboration.

Position Description

Leadership and Administration

• Leads a high performing security and public safety function for Harvard University; fully embracing the principles of community policing, works to ensure the department is a model of public accountability, community orientation, and constitutional policing while upholding the institution’s mission and values.
• Collaborates with senior leaders on strategic planning efforts associated with safety and security programs, community outreach, customer service, training, and special events.
• Leads the effort to establish an atmosphere of mutual respect, understanding and shared communication among all Harvard affiliates and visitors as well as members of our host communities of Cambridge and Boston.

• Develops and implements programs and services related to the safety and security of students, faculty, staff and visitors; considers the unique safety/security needs of a residential campus; provides protection for dignitaries and other figures of national and international notoriety, and ensures safety protocols at University and School events.
• Coordinates community policing with other functions within the department to ensure that decisions are made and issues are resolved with the benefit of multiple resources and differing perspectives; develops educational and informational outreach programs and initiates other actions as needed to maintain effective community relations and open communication.
• Directs the recruitment, training and supervision of sworn officers, administrative and staff support personnel; incorporates state-of-the-art philosophies, plans, and programs to attract and retain a broad-ranging workforce; ensures continuing education and skill development for both uniformed and non-uniformed personnel.
• Coordinates and ensures appropriate deployment of security guards across the University’s campuses.
• Coordinates campus response to public safety emergencies and crisis situations; coordinate response efforts with the University’s emergency management personnel and Crisis Management Team.

• Promotes and models a culture of Police professionalism that considers constituents’ expectations in a complex policy environment and the public scrutiny on the University.
• Proactively partners across functions, such as the Office of the General Counsel, Human Resources, Faculty Affairs and Student Affairs Deans, Health Services, among others, to achieve holistic solutions to campus safety risks.
• Effectively adapts communication of strategy and programs to constituencies with divergent and overlapping interests to maximize effectiveness and achieve broadest base of support.
• Proactively interacts with members of the university and local communities informally to build relationships and address matters of mutual concern.
• Fosters high-functioning teamwork and camaraderie among police command staff and within the police department.
• Leads change management initiatives by developing and executing change strategies, driving stakeholder engagement, and ensuring successful implementation of the organizational change agenda.
• Designs and implements policies, practices and training consistent with the needs of a diverse community and the particular aspects of a university setting and the value it places on free expression and support of peaceful demonstration/protest.
• Ensures that officers and department members demonstrate behaviors consistent with University policy and with the University’s values and goals
• Establishes and maintains a healthy working environment for all staff in the department.

Basic Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice or related field along with 15 years of progressive policing experience, including a minimum of 7 years of managerial (supervisory command level or at a Lieutenant or above) experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Prior command experience within a higher education environment and a deep understanding of the special dimensions of student life and a campus community strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to engage with a broad range of stakeholders within a University community and surrounding communities; a strong background in community-oriented law enforcement is needed.
• Prior experience leading a unionized workforce
• Comfort with technology, especially at the command level.
• Knowledge of the Clery Act requirements pertaining to crime reporting and notifications.
• Possess MPTC (Massachusetts Police Training Committee) certification or ability to obtain a certification within 120 days of employment or the ability to attain a waiver
• Proof of U.S. Citizenship
• Successful completion of a drug screening

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Completion of FBI National Academy or other evidence of continued professional development is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of and commitment to national best practices and community-oriented security and law enforcement are essential.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and relationship-building skills; a collaborative and team-oriented leadership style, engaging manner, spirit of collegiality; the capacity to engage, inspire, and motivate others.
• Strong interpersonal skills and proven experience in operating in a complex, matrixed, and decentralized organizational structure.
• Thorough knowledge of security operations, applicable federal and state laws and Clery reporting requirements.
• Demonstrated record of positive community and public relations is key.
• Demonstrated experience effectively managing crisis situations

Additional Information

Please note: Harvard has retained Spelman & Johnson for this search. Applications, Nominations, etc. should be emailed to: hjl@spelmanjohnson.com

Work Format Details

This position is based primarily on-campus, in Massachusetts. This may include in-person during emergency situations (if applicable). Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/benefits-wellbeing) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Job Function

General Administration

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Harvard

Job Code

361062 Administrative Manager

Work Format

On-Site

Sub-Unit

------------

Salary Grade

062

Department

Harvard University Police Department

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Time Status

Full-time

Pre-Employment Screening

CORI, Criminal, Education, Identity

Commitment to Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify this excellence while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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