What are the responsibilities and job description for the Chief of Campus Safety and Police position at Inside Higher Ed?
Elon University, in Elon, NC, is a nationally recognized leader in engaged, experiential learning that prepares graduates to be creative, resilient, ambitious, and ethical citizens. Elon invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for the position of chief of campus safety and police. This is an on-site leadership role.
At Elon, more than 7,000 students learn through hands-on experiences and close working relationships with faculty and staff whose priorities are teaching and mentoring. The curriculum is grounded in the liberal arts and sciences with emphasis on global experiences and career development. More than 70 undergraduate majors are complemented by professional and graduate programs in law, business, education, and health care. Elon is ranked “Number 1” for excellence in undergraduate teaching by U.S. News & World Report.
Reporting to the vice president for finance and administration, the chief of campus safety and police provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the university's comprehensive public safety and police functions. The chief directs and supervises all 24/7 operations, ensuring a safe, secure, and service-oriented environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The chief leads a staff of 42, including North Carolina state-certified sworn officers, non-sworn community service officers, dispatch, and administrative personnel, and manages a budget exceeding $4 million.
Qualifications
Elon is seeking an experienced and innovative law enforcement executive who appreciates and values the developmental experiences of young adults, enjoys being part of a vibrant academic community, and supports a community policing model that engages the campus and broader public in mutual learning about law enforcement.
The successful candidate will have a bachelor's degree and more than ten years of professional experience in a related field; experience in the field of public safety, law enforcement, or community engagement; experience supporting high-impact, experiential, or project-based learning; and at least five years of senior management experience (lieutenant and above) in a law enforcement setting. The new chief must possess applicable certification from the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Commission or be eligible to obtain such certification within one year.*
Preferred qualifications include: master's degree; experience in providing police services in a higher education environment, particularly within a residential community; experience with incident and threat assessment techniques as well as knowledge of the Clery Act; and be a graduate from an advanced police command training such as the FBI National Academy, Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, Southern Police Institute, or possess related training obtained at a state level.
Elon University has selected Spelman Johnson, a leading executive search firm, to assist with leading this search. Review of applications will begin April 29, 2026, and continue until the position is filled. Submit a resume and cover letter via https://spelmanandjohnson.com/position/chief-of-police/
Elon University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, and pregnancy or related conditions), age, disability, genetic information, religion, veteran's status, or any other protected basis under applicable law (collectively, “Protected Categories”) in the recruitment and admission of students, the recruitment and employment of faculty and staff, or the operation of any of its programs and activities.
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At Elon, more than 7,000 students learn through hands-on experiences and close working relationships with faculty and staff whose priorities are teaching and mentoring. The curriculum is grounded in the liberal arts and sciences with emphasis on global experiences and career development. More than 70 undergraduate majors are complemented by professional and graduate programs in law, business, education, and health care. Elon is ranked “Number 1” for excellence in undergraduate teaching by U.S. News & World Report.
Reporting to the vice president for finance and administration, the chief of campus safety and police provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the university's comprehensive public safety and police functions. The chief directs and supervises all 24/7 operations, ensuring a safe, secure, and service-oriented environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The chief leads a staff of 42, including North Carolina state-certified sworn officers, non-sworn community service officers, dispatch, and administrative personnel, and manages a budget exceeding $4 million.
Qualifications
Elon is seeking an experienced and innovative law enforcement executive who appreciates and values the developmental experiences of young adults, enjoys being part of a vibrant academic community, and supports a community policing model that engages the campus and broader public in mutual learning about law enforcement.
The successful candidate will have a bachelor's degree and more than ten years of professional experience in a related field; experience in the field of public safety, law enforcement, or community engagement; experience supporting high-impact, experiential, or project-based learning; and at least five years of senior management experience (lieutenant and above) in a law enforcement setting. The new chief must possess applicable certification from the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Commission or be eligible to obtain such certification within one year.*
Preferred qualifications include: master's degree; experience in providing police services in a higher education environment, particularly within a residential community; experience with incident and threat assessment techniques as well as knowledge of the Clery Act; and be a graduate from an advanced police command training such as the FBI National Academy, Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, Southern Police Institute, or possess related training obtained at a state level.
- Please note that North Carolina law does not recognize or have a reciprocal relationship with federal law enforcement certification, but recognizes and gives partial credit for military police (MP) training, receipt of an MP occupational specialty classification, and performance of MP duties
Elon University has selected Spelman Johnson, a leading executive search firm, to assist with leading this search. Review of applications will begin April 29, 2026, and continue until the position is filled. Submit a resume and cover letter via https://spelmanandjohnson.com/position/chief-of-police/
- Contact Heather Larabee at hjl@spelmanjohnson.com for confidential inquiries.
- Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email info@spelmanjohnson.com.
Elon University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, and pregnancy or related conditions), age, disability, genetic information, religion, veteran's status, or any other protected basis under applicable law (collectively, “Protected Categories”) in the recruitment and admission of students, the recruitment and employment of faculty and staff, or the operation of any of its programs and activities.
Copyright ©2025 Jobelephant.com Inc. All rights reserved.
Posted by the FREE value-added recruitment advertising agency
jeid-6d1d8ecaa2f3c94dbf4868ff7e64ac3b