Description

The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) seeks an experienced and visionary Police Chief to lead the department in creating a safe campus environment that supports student success and embodies UMKC’s commitment to fostering a Culture of Care. Reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, this position requires a collaborative leader who can advance through innovative policing strategies while ensuring all departmental operations align with the University’s academic mission, values, and strategic goals. Learn more about our team here: https://www.umkc.edu/police/ 

Role and Responsibilities

Leadership & Management:

• Provide leadership, guidance and direction for the department, supervising a force of sworn officers, security personnel, and civilian support staff
• Manage operational, financial, and personnel activities to ensure alignment with the University’s mission, vision, and values
• Maintain departmental accreditation status with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies
• Stay current with evolving law enforcement best practices, legal developments, and campus safety trends to ensure department effectiveness and compliance

Law Enforcement & Security Operations:

• Direct comprehensive efforts to provide a safe, secure, and orderly campus community 
• Oversee crime prevention and enforcement activities, education programs, and law enforcement operations
• Coordinate and assign personnel for special event security, including sporting events, concerts, guest speakers, and VIP visits
• Develop and implement protection plans and security measures for public figures visiting university property

Community Relations & Compliance:

• Serve as the primary liaison with surrounding law enforcement agencies and criminal justice partners, responsible for maintaining strong relationships that allow UMKC to thrive in the community
• Work closely with the Division of Student Affairs and the Office of Equity and Title IX to ensure compliance with the Clery Act and Title IX regulations, along with FERPA, Title VII, ADA, FOIA, and freedom of speech on college campus
• Engage in extensive communication and relationship-building with the campus community through outreach, education, and community policing initiatives

Emergency Management & Communications:

• Collaborate with campus leadership on strategic priorities related to campus security, safety protocols, and law enforcement matters
• Ensure functionality and operation of the campus emergency mass notification system
• Lead crisis response operations during campus emergencies, coordinating with local, state, and federal agencies as needed
• Communicate effectively with local and national media, as well as the general public, for both routine departmental matters and incident response 

Shift

Standard Hours:

Monday through Friday, 7:00am -3:00pm, with flexibility to interact with all departmental shifts and campus operations

Emergency Response:

Available on-call 24/7/365 to respond to campus emergencies, critical incidents, and urgent safety and security matters

Essential Personnel Requirements:

As an essential university employee, may be required to work during university holidays, campus closures, severe weather events, and other emergency situations as operational needs dictate

Additional Schedule Expectations:

Attendance required at evening and weekend events, meetings, and special campus activities as needed

Flexibility to adjust schedule for crisis response, community engagement, and administrative responsibilities

Anticipated Hiring Range

$111,500 to $150,000 per year commensurate with education, experience, and internal equity. 

Application Instructions and Deadline

Application review begins on January 16, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Applications must be submitted via the University of Missouri Kansas City careers portal: https://www.umkc.edu/hr/careers/ 

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses.  For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits. 

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 816-235-6910.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Experience:

Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience, and at least seven (7) years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired

Certifications:

Must obtain and maintain Missouri Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification in accordance with current state requirements. Certification may be required prior to appointment and is mandatory once employed.

Preferred Qualifications

Education & Experience:

• Master’s degree in Criminal Justice, Public Safety Administration, Criminology, or related field
• Experience in higher education or campus law enforcement environment
• Progressive leadership experience managing multi-tiered law enforcement operations
• Experience with federal compliance requirements including the Clery Act, Title IX, and campus safety regulations 

Professional Development:

• Completion of executive law enforcement training such as: 
• Northwestern’s Police Staff and Command College
• Federal Bureau of Investigations National Academy, 
• Southern Police Institute’s Administrative Officers Course, 
• International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Leadership programs
• Similar recognized law enforcement executive education programs