Description
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
SDState was established in Brookings, South Dakota in 1881, South Dakota State University today is a vibrant institution. SDState is a Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education High Research Activity institution. SDState is an NCAA Division I
institution and competes in the Summit League for all sports except football (Missouri Valley Football Conference), wrestling (Pac 12), and women’s equestrian (National Collegiate Equestrian Association). With exceptional alumni, community, and Foundation support for student scholarships and all aspects of university life, SDState is a major participant in Brookings, a friendly and economically healthy community of nearly 24,000. Brookings has outstanding schools, strong local economic research and development efforts, lovely parks, museums and well-attended cultural activities. The university fosters close working relationships with local school districts and offers a kindergarten on campus. Located a one hour’s drive north of Sioux Falls, the state’s largest city, SDState and Brookings offer an exceptionally high quality of life in an engaged, active campus community. It is also notable that the state of South Dakota has no personal income tax.
THE UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
South Dakota State University Police Department is a professional, full-service law
enforcement agency serving the campus community around the clock.
Comprehensive policing services including crime prevention, patrol, protection of life and property, emergency response, criminal investigation, education, training, and security and special event safety planning. Located east of Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium with offices, interview rooms, meeting space, evidence room, and a patrol garage. Safety escorts, victim services, ride-alongs, presentations and student patrols. More than 163 campus buildings, athletic venues, laboratories and major events.
Maintains a close working relationship with the City of Brookings, supported by a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that establishes the framework for law enforcement authority, coordination, and service within Brookings.
Reporting structure: SDState Board of Regents, President, Vice President and General
Counsel, AVP of Safety and Security, Chief of University Police.
State-trained, certified officers holding full law enforcement authority. Comprehensive patrol, investigations, deterrence, emergency response and enhanced campus security including for large-scale public events. 24/7 Communications Center; nearly 30 staff across enforcement, evidence and dispatching.
IACLEA accredited since 2017.
Progressive community policing and campus engagement promoting South Dakota’s
premier land grant university.
The Police Department is an integral part of the university community, working
closely with students, faculty, staff, university leadership, and the broader Brookings
community to strengthen trust, enhance safety, and support the university’s mission.
THE POSITION
Few law enforcement executives have the opportunity to influence both the safety of a
community and the development of its future leaders.
Every day, more than 12,000 students come to South Dakota State University to
learn, discover, compete, build relationships and prepare for their futures. Thousands
of faculty and staff come to teach, conduct research and serve the people of South
Dakota. The Chief of University Police helps create the conditions that make all of that
possible.
SDState seeks a leader who understands that public safety is ultimately about people -
earning trust, developing relationships, participating in the community, preparing for the
unexpected and creating an organization whose people are committed to something
larger than themselves: community safety.
The Chief of South Dakota State University Police is a key university leader that works in collaboration to create the conditions in which students, faculty and staff can learn, work, research and thrive. The Chief of University Police will work under the direction of the Asistant Vice President of Safety and Security and will oversee comprehensive policing services including crime prevention, patrol, protection of life and propriety, law enforcement emergency responsiveness, criminal investigations, education and training along with safety planning for special events.
There is currently an open recruitment for the Assistant Vice President of Safety and Security who provides strategic, operational, and administrative leadership for Emergency & Risk Management, Environmental Health and Safety, and the University Police Department.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The successful candidate should bring broad knowledge of comprehensive public safety operations, program administration, organizational management, investigations, patrol, traffic control, records, crime prevention, recent court decisions, public relations, applicable laws and regulations, government budgeting, personnel management, supervision, training and performance evaluation.
SDState is looking for a leader who combines professional judgment, emotional intelligence and genuine interest in students and people. University policing is at its best when the Chief understands that public safety is inseparable from the educational mission. The role is about leadership, alignment, trust, student support and helping the university move toward its strategic future. The Police Chief is accountable for working with the Assistant Vice President of Safety and Security to set the strategic direction of the department.
The Chief is responsible for leading staff and operations, building critical partnerships, ensuring legal and professional compliance, and managing organizational and public safety risk.
Strategic Leadership
Provides leadership and strategic direction for the University Police Department, establishing organizational priorities, aligning resources with university needs, and ensuring the department delivers effective, progressive, and community-centered public safety services.
Partnership and Liaison
Serves as the University's senior law enforcement representative, developing and maintaining trusted relationships and coordinating public safety efforts across the University, government, criminal justice system, community, and regional public safety organizations.
Key Responsibilities
Department Oversight
Directs the department's people, operations, resources, and finances to ensure effective
delivery of comprehensive public safety services while maintaining organizational performance, accountability, compliance, and fiscal responsibility.
Compliance and Policy
Ensures University Police operations, policies, agreements, and professional practices comply with applicable laws, regulations, University requirements, accreditation standards, and recognized public safety practices.
Risk and Incident Analysis
Provides oversight of law enforcement related organizational risk, critical incidents, internal accountability, and emergency preparedness by identifying vulnerabilities, analyzing significant events, and ensuring the department is prepared to respond effectively to high-risk situations
APPLICATION PROCESS
Application Deadline
This position is open until filled, with a full consideration November 6, 2026.
Application Process
Applications should include a letter of interest, which specifically addresses how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, resume, and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification to the applicant.
Additionally, applicants need to complete a supplemental EEO questionnaire required by SDState that will be provided upon receipt of the application. Resumé, letter of interest, and completed EEO questionnaire must be submitted to the search firm assisting the university, Meliora Public Safety Consulting, LLC, to Jackie@meliorapsc.com Upon receipt, the EEO questionnaire will be provided for the applicant to complete and return. YOU MAY FIND THE BROCHURE AT Meliorapsc.com
Review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made. Please reach out the Executive Recruiter, Deanna Cantrell at 480-231-8619 with any questions.
Requirements
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in
political science, criminal justice, police science, behavioral science, business or public
administration, or a related field.
10+ years of progressively responsible sworn law enforcement experience and a
minimum of 5 years of supervising law enforcement and 3 years of supervising
executive or lieutenant level positions.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in university public safety, including crime
prevention, community policing, problem solving and contemporary police service
delivery.
Valid driver’s license and current South Dakota Law Enforcement Certification, or
ability to obtain certification within 12 months of hire.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Master’s degree in political science, criminal justice, police science, behavioral science,
business or public administration, or a related field.
15+ years of leadership and management experience in policing.
Familiarity and/or experience with IACLEA accreditation and Clery Act requirement
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The salary range for the Chief of University Police is $97,264 - $145,896, commensurate
with qualifications and experience. SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits
including medical, dental, vision, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation
packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. SDState offers a generous retirement
plan that includes 8% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of
sick leave each month, and 11 paid holidays. Employees also have access to internal
and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at
all State of South Dakota academic institutions. Relocation benefits are available per
university’s guidelines.
