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Responsibilities of the Position

Reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Public Safety, the Chief of Police manages the University of Colorado Boulder’s (CU Boulder) Police Department, whose authority is granted under the authorization of a State Police Commission as well as a City of Boulder Police Commission. The Chief of Police is responsible for overseeing a department that provides a full range of police services including patrol, investigations, crime prevention, and support service functions. The Chief is responsible for promoting a safe and secure educational and work environment for the campus community through the communication and enforcement of university policies, and local, state, and federal laws.

The Chief has operational, administrative, and fiscal responsibility for the University of Colorado Police Department (CUPD) and is responsible for developing and implementing policies and procedures relating to campus safety; ensuring compliance with all reporting requirements; collaborating with faculty, staff, and students to provide educational programs and police services; and serving as liaison with local, state, and federal agencies.

Specific duties and responsibilities include:

Strategic Planning & Collaboration:

• Mission, Vision, and Strategic Goals: Formulates and implements the department’s mission, vision, goals, and objectives, adhering to the principles of community policing and procedural justice.
• Department Leadership: Develops and leads command staff to ensure cohesion within the Police Department and across Public Safety units. Provides strategic leadership to engage and inspire department employees, effectively managing personnel and resolving conflicts to foster a collaborative and high-performing team.
• Innovation and Efficiency: Cultivates an environment that encourages innovation while enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in department operations.
• Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives: Participates in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts by collaborating with Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC), contributing to the Inclusion, Diversity, and Excellence in Academics (IDEA) plan, and fostering and inclusive and respectful environment in the university.
• Interagency Collaboration: Develops and maintains strong working relationships with local, state, and federal agencies, and other CU Boulder departments and units, to foster integrated campus safety and operations.

Police Operations:

• Patrol Operations Management: Oversees and ensures effective patrol operations, coordinating officer deployment to maximize coverage and visibility, and responding quickly to incidents to maintain public safety.
• Investigative Oversight: Directs investigations into criminal activities, ensuring proper evidence handling, case management, and collaboration with external law enforcement agencies as needed.
• Major Incident Response: Provides leadership and support during the investigation of major crimes, accidents, or other critical incidents, ensuring thorough analysis and resolution.
• Crime Prevention Program Development: Designs, implements, and evaluates crime prevention initiatives tailored to campus and community needs, with an emphasis on reducing criminal activity and enhancing public safety.
• Community Engagement: Promotes proactive community policing strategies to foster positive relationships between law enforcement and the community, ensuring a collaborative approach to crime reduction.

Support Services:

• Records Management and Confidentiality: Establishes and maintains a comprehensive records management system, ensuring proper custody, maintenance, and security of records, reports, evidence, property, and information. Ensures compliance with laws governing the confidentiality of records and oversees the submission of mandated federal and state reports.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensures compliance with local, state, and federal laws related to campus crime and law enforcement. Oversees the preparation, submission, and accuracy of reports, such as those required by the Clery Act, FERPA, and HEOA.
• Property and Evidence Management: Oversees the proper handling, documentation, storage, chain of custody, and audits of property and evidence in accordance with legal standards and department procedures.

Administrative Responsibilities:

• Internal Affairs: Oversee and ensure the integrity of internal affairs investigations, handling allegations of misconduct, ensuring impartiality and fairness, and fostering transparency in the investigative process to maintain public trust and accountability within the police department.
• Training and Professional Development: Ensures that comprehensive and effective training programs are provided to all law enforcement and CU Police Department (CUPD) personnel to maintain operational excellence and adherence to professional standards.
• Fiscal Management: Responsible for the prudent fiscal management of assigned department and programs, ensuring compliance with university rules, policies, and financial best practices.
• Strategic Budget Planning: Leads the strategic budget planning process for the department, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and objectives, and promoting efficient use of resources.

Qualifications and Characteristics of the Successful Candidate

A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, law enforcement, public administration, business administration, or a related area, and 10 years of law enforcement experience, at least five years of which must have been at the division commander/captain level or above are required. A master’s degree is preferred. Candidates must successfully complete the Peace Officer Standards and Training Academy and Certification (P.O.S.T.), or equivalent training and exam accepted by the Colorado P.O.S.T. Board.

The ideal candidate will also possess:

• Exceptional interpersonal and leadership skills in dealing with subordinates, peers, supervisors and the public.
• Extensive knowledge of the methods and practices of law enforcement on a university campus, including knowledge of criminal laws, rules of evidence, and community policing principles.
• Demonstrated commitment to the provision of quality community-oriented services, strategic planning experience, and the ability to develop and implement solutions to complex problems.
• Knowledge of budget preparation and fiscal management.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and exhibit leadership in sensitive and emergency situations and making critical decisions.
• Demonstrated strong commitment to community policing and understanding of student life and the needs/issues of a campus community.
• This position is classified as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) under the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.

In addition to the qualifications stated above, key stakeholders identified the following capabilities and attributes of a successful candidate:

• A student-centered philosophy in which the welfare of students and improvement of the student experience is of the highest priority.
• A forward-thinking leader who embraces new opportunities, stays informed on trends and best practices, and leads significant change to improve police operations and adapt to evolving public safety needs.
• Demonstrates political acumen and tact, effectively advocating for the needs of staff and departments while navigating complex organizational and community dynamics.
• Understands the importance of mental health issues and advocates for training officers as mental health responders to serve as front-line contacts in related incidents.
• Possesses in-depth knowledge of First Amendment and free speech issues, particularly in the context of a public university setting.

History of the Position

Doreen Jokerst served as CU Boulder’s Assistant Vice Chancellor for Public Safety and Chief of Police for six years. She resigned in October 2024 to accept a position as a municipal police chief. Commander John Monahan is currently serving as the Interim Chief of Police.

Opportunities and Challenges of the Role

On December 4, 2024, Chancellor Justin Schwartz announced a restructuring of CU Boulder’s Strategic Resources and Support Division. As a part of the reorganization, Marlon Lynch is being promoted to Vice Chancellor of Public Safety and is a member of the Chancellor’s Cabinet. The full-announcement is available on the Chancellor’s website.

Lynch is currently implementing a comprehensive approach to public safety across campus, forming a new multi-faceted division bringing together all public safety functions into one organization. This team will be led by experienced professionals with diverse backgrounds and expertise. The Chief of Police will play a key role in collaborating with this leadership team, fostering cooperation, and ensuring transparency in all public safety efforts.

The new Chief must foster a collaborative culture within the Division of Public Safety and across CU Boulder and Boulder community partners. Strong relationships are key to success, requiring the Chief to engage with campus stakeholders and external partners to assess needs, create student-centered programs, and ensure high-quality service.

CU Boulder is deeply committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and community relations, making these values a top priority for the new Chief. The Chief must ensure that education and training on diversity, equity, bias, discrimination, and inclusivity are integrated into all departmental areas, aligning with the university’s core values.

The new Chief must commit to implementing a progressive policing philosophy at CUPD, ensuring officers are visible, accessible, and engaged with students, faculty, and administration. The Chief should foster community involvement in safety initiatives and promote a positive departmental presence at CU Boulder. Utilizing national best practices, innovative programs, and professional networks will help develop a compassionate and effective policing approach.

Measures of Success

At an appropriate interval after joining CU Boulder, the items listed below will initially define success for the new Chief of Police.

• Campus assessment programs show that student perceptions of the CUPD and the services provided are positive and rising.
• In consultation with the Vice Chancellor for Public Safety (VCPS), establishing a strategic plan that is consistent with the divisional mission and goals and the objectives in that plan are being met by the designated timeline.
• In consultation with the VCPS, staffing levels are at or near allocated levels, and employee climate surveys within the department show strong satisfaction and retention levels.
• The Chief has built strong relationships with individuals and departments across the university and the broader community, establishing themselves as a respected campus leader.
• The Chief leverages best practices and the department employs the latest and most effective campus and community policing strategies.