Chief of Police - Cal State Long Beach

At a glance

California State University, Long Beach is seeking a Chief of Police to lead a team of approximately 35 sworn and non-sworn professionals and continue advancing a community- and service-focused approach to campus safety.

This is an opportunity for a thoughtful, strategic law enforcement leader who understands that policing in higher education is about more than enforcement—it’s about building trust, exercising sound discretion, de-escalating challenges, and creating strong partnerships with students, faculty, staff, and the broader community.

This highly visible role partners with leaders across the institution and the CSU Chancellor's Office to advance a safe, welcoming, and engaged campus community.

We’re especially interested in leaders with higher education experience or significant command and community engagement experience who bring a service-first mindset to public safety. Bring your leadership to The Beach.

Another Source's client,
California State University, Long Beach
, is recruiting a
Chief of Police
to join their team in Long Beach, California. This is an onsite leadership position, and relocationassistanceis available.

Here's a little about California State University, Long Beach:

California State University, Long Beach is part of the 23-campus California State University system and is committed to creating a safe, welcoming environment where students, faculty, staff, and visitors can learn, work, and engage with the university community.

The University Police Department plays an essential role in that experience. More than traditional law enforcement, the department's work encompasses campus safety, crime prevention, emergency preparedness, security, community engagement, and partnership across the university. The next Chief of Police will have the opportunity to lead this multifaceted operation while serving as a highly visible advisor and partner to university leadership and the broader campus community.

About this role:

Reporting to the Vice President of Administration and Finance, the Chief of Police provides executive leadership and daily management forCal State Long Beach’scomprehensive law enforcement and crime prevention programs. The Chief serves as the university's senior advisor on law enforcement, public safety, emergency management, risk mitigation, regulatory compliance, traffic management, and crime prevention.

This is a role with significant reach across the institution. The Chief works closely with the President, Vice President of Administration and Finance, Student Affairs leadership, campus executives, the Chancellor's Office, regional law enforcement agencies, community organizations, and members of the public. The position also serves as a critical-incident commander during major emergencies and disasters and plays an active role in university governance and campus planning.

The Chief directly oversees leaders responsible for Field Services, Support Services, emergency operations, and administrative services, leading a team of approximately 35 sworn and non-sworn personnel. The Chief is accountable for ensuring the department’s people, policies, resources, training, and operations meet professional, legal, CSU, and campus standards.

Scope & Impact

• Provide executive leadership for University Police operations, including Field Services, Support Services, Dispatch Communications, crime prevention, criminal investigations, the K9 program, traffic safety and enforcement, facility security, emergency preparedness, training, technology, finance, budget, and human resources.

• Serve as a strategic public-safety advisor to the President, Vice President of Administration and Finance, and other university executives, providing guidance on campus safety, emergency management, risk mitigation, compliance, and law enforcement operations.

• Lead the department's fiscal and administrative operations,establishingbudgetprioritiesand responsibly managing resources in support of university and departmental goals.

• Serve as a trusted public-safety advisor and law enforcement partner to the CSU Chancellor’s Office and Chancellor, including providing…