University Police Officer

Title: University Police Officer

Executive Area: Student Affairs & Campus Life

College/School/MBU: University Police Department

Department: Police Operations

Work Location: Amherst

Schedule: Full Time

Work Arrangement: Onsite

University Police Officers serve as multi-skilled professionals performing the full spectrum of law enforcement, investigation, and emergency services. They enforce state and local laws, university traffic rules, and regulations. Officers identify, apprehend, and detain individuals suspected of violating these laws, provide education, preserve public peace, protect life and property, and assist the community.

• Exercise police powers under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 75 Section 32A to prevent, deter, and detect violations of criminal and motor vehicle laws and regulations.
• Ensure public safety through enforcement and education.
• Direct and control pedestrian and motor vehicle traffic; enforce university traffic and parking rules; issue citations under MGL C 90 § 1c.
• Patrol university properties and adjacent areas to protect persons and property, detect and deter criminal activity, and report hazards.
• Operate motor vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, horses, ATVs, and other task-specific vehicles for patrols.
• Aid and assist all persons in danger of physical harm or victims of crime, accidents, or illness.
• Maintain order at public assemblies, protests, marches, concerts, sporting events, and other special events.
• Respond to civil disorder, civil disobedience, and potentially riotous situations; perform crowd control tactics and restore public order.
• Conduct preliminary and follow‑up investigations of routine and complex offenses, including misdemeanors and felonies.
• Apply investigative and interrogatory techniques when interviewing suspects, witnesses, and victims.
• Prepare, write, and execute search and arrest warrants.
• Conduct investigatory searches of persons, places, and property in compliance with law and policy.
• Prepare criminal complaints and other legal paperwork; read and interpret court decisions, briefs, and judicial opinions.
• Identify criminal offenders and make apprehensions via complaint application or arrest with or without a warrant as permitted.
• Detain and restrain criminal suspects in accordance with policy and law.
• Mediates disputes, intervenes in domestic violence and psychiatric crises, and refers victims and witnesses to appropriate agencies.
• Testify in criminal courts and other hearings.
• Investigate motor vehicle, pedestrian, and industrial accidents, including serious injury, fatal accidents, and suicides with Massachusetts State Police.
• Catalog, secure, and maintain evidence; manage lost, found, and seized property.
• Prepare notes, reports, logs, photo documents, and other electronically generated documents.
• Use computers with software such as MS Office, Excel, IMC, Fusion, and surveillance camera systems.
• Operate audio and visual recording devices mounted on patrol vehicles, handheld, and in the field.
• Operate and maintain specialized equipment: breath testing devices, electronic fingerprint systems, AEDs, RADAR, and LIDAR.
• Maintain proficiency with firearms and specialty munitions.
• Perform dignitary protection, plain‑clothes patrol, undercover, and other covert operations.
• Prepare for and respond to mass casualty incidents, hostage situations, active shooter or terrorist threats, biological and chemical spills, or other emergency threats.
• Secure and search detainees before transport to the station and maintain control in custody.
• Plan and direct advanced training programs for probationary officers, veteran officers, inter‑agency partners, and community groups.
• Serve on inter‑agency task forces, special operations, work groups, or committees.
• Participate in multi‑jurisdictional assignments such as warrant service, investigations, OUI roadblocks, and community outreach.
• Perform emergency first aid, CPR, Narcan, Epi Pen, and AED therapy within guidelines.
• Arrive punctually to shift assignments and overtime.
• Assist campus businesses with escorting funds during evening hours or campus events.
• Assist the public with directions, information, and referrals to…