Patrol Captain

Overview

Job Title: Patrol Captain

Department: Executive Administration

Classification: Law Enforcement Manager 2

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Pay Band: 06

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Financial Background Check: Yes

Motor Vehicle Records Check: Yes

Works with Minors check: Yes

Opening on: Feb 6 2026

The primary purpose/objective/mission of the University Police Department is to provide a safe and secure environment for all university employees, students, and guests. Embracing the principles of community policing, the department works collaboratively with academic and administrative units, individuals, and organizations in furtherance of the mission of the university. The department delivers a comprehensive program in law enforcement to provide the highest level of safety, security, and service for the students, faculty, staff, and visitors to the university, as they pursue their daily work and study activities, consistent with the laws of the commonwealth, and the policies of the university.

The Patrol Captain is a senior sworn law enforcement leader responsible for providing strategic and operational oversight of patrol operations and related police functions in support of the department's mission to ensure a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The Patrol Captain directly supervises four Patrol Lieutenants, who are responsible for day-to-day law enforcement operations on the Fairfax, Sci-Tech, and Mason Square campuses, ensuring consistent operational standards, accountability, and alignment with departmental goals across geographically distinct locations.

• Provides Command-Level Oversight of Patrol Operations
  Manages, directs, and oversees the administrative and operational functions of the Patrol Division, ensuring effective delivery of law enforcement services across all assigned campuses. The Patrol Captain directly supervises Police Lieutenants responsible for patrol operations on the Fairfax, Sci-Tech, and Mason Square campuses, ensuring consistency, accountability, and adherence to professional policing standards;
• Ensures division-wide compliance with federal, state, and local laws; university and departmental policies; and established standards of conduct. Provides strategic planning, prioritization, and oversight to ensure operational readiness, risk mitigation, and effective resource deployment;
• Reviews, evaluates, and ensures appropriate supervisory review of reports, including incident, crash, use-of-force, and critical incident documentation. Ensures compliance with NIBRS, Clery Act reporting requirements, and Campus Security Authority (CSA) responsibilities. Provides executive-level oversight to ensure timely referrals to the Office of Student Conduct, Human Resources, Title IX, and other university partners, as required by law and policy;
• Oversees staffing models, scheduling practices, and deployment strategies to ensure adequate coverage across all campuses. Reviews and approves leave, training, and overtime usage through subordinate commanders to ensure staffing needs are met without compromising operations. Monitors and manages patrol-related budgetary expenditures, equipment, fleet resources, and training allocations to ensure responsible stewardship of department resources; and
• Maintains effective communication across patrol shifts, campuses, and departmental units; ensures timely and accurate dissemination of information to and from subordinate commanders and executive leadership.

• Provides Leadership, Direction, and Development of Command Staff
  Provides leadership, mentoring, and professional development to Police Lieutenants and other supervisory personnel, ensuring effective command presence, decision-making, and accountability throughout the Patrol Division;
• Establishes division goals, performance expectations, and operational priorities aligned with departmental and university strategic objectives. Ensures consistent application of discipline, recognition, performance evaluations, and corrective action in a fair, equitable, and legally defensible manner;
• Oversees supervisory training and development, including leadership competencies, incident command, administrative responsibilities, and critical decision-making. Supports succession planning by identifying and developing future leaders within the Patrol Division; and
• Promotes a culture of professionalism, teamwork, wellness, and community-oriented policing. Addresses complex personnel issues, internal complaints, and conflict resolution matters in coordination with executive staff and Human Resources.

• Serves as Senior Incident Commander and Operational Authority
  Acts as senior incident commander during major, critical, or complex…