Job Summary

The Cal Poly, Solano Campus Public Safety Department is under the direction of Cal Poly’s Associate Vice President of Public Safety and Police Commissioner. The Solano Campus Deputy Chief of Police reports directly to the Police Commissioner. The Deputy Chief of Police is responsible for assisting the Police Commissioner in the administration and management of the departmental functions. The Deputy Chief of Police is responsible for directing, managing, supervising and coordinating the activities of the Operations Unit within the Cal Poly, Solano Campus Police Department. Additional responsibilities involve coordination of assigned activities with other divisions, campus departments, and outside agencies. Work involves resolving problems of the highest technical nature and participating in the determination and formulation of Public Safety policies.

The position will be located at Cal Poly - Solano Campus in Vallejo, California.

Department Summary

California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) is a nationally ranked, four-year, comprehensive public university with campuses located in San Luis Obispo, California and Solano County, California. The Solano Campus is home of the Maritime Academy, a unique and specialized campus, one of only seven degree-granting maritime academies in the United States and the only one on the West Coast.

Consisting of four departments, Cal Poly Police Department (CPPD), Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS), Department of Emergency Management (DEM) and Business Services, Public Safety collaborates across the university to build a safer, more sustainable and better prepared campus. Together, these departments provide vital parking and sustainable commuting options, progressive community policing services, and comprehensive emergency management planning.

Key Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of the theories, principles, and practices of effective police administration with particular attention to planning and organizing police services and operations.
• Knowledge of the theories, principles, and practices of effective public administration, with specific reference to department policies, personnel, and budget administration.
• Comprehensive knowledge of and the ability to interpret and accurately apply current law enforcement methods, policies, procedures, rules, regulations, laws and criminal investigative practices, techniques and procedures; ability to make sound recommendations based on findings of investigations.
• Thorough knowledge of current criminal codes and laws and the ability to apply them in a university setting.
• Demonstrated analytical and reasoning skills with the use of inference to draw evidence-based conclusions.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to independently interpret, communicate and apply policies and procedures; ability to adapt to organizational, procedural, policy and technological changes.
• Ability to assist with planning, organizing, staffing, and directing the range of activities commonly found in a university Police Department.
• Thorough knowledge of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) emergency systems and general emergency preparedness practices.
• Demonstrated knowledge of effective personnel management practices and supervisory skills, including recruitment, training, performance evaluation, motivation and professional development, corrective actions and progressive discipline.
• Demonstrated knowledge of or ability to learn and adhere to applicable collective bargaining agreements.
• Ability to initiate and support innovation with creativity, flexibility, responsiveness and future focus.
• Strong ability to interact effectively with members of the department and public in stressful situations.
• Demonstrated ability to operate in an environment that requires discretion and confidentiality.
• Ability to maximize productivity through use of appropriate tools; develop resources that create timely and efficient workflow.
• Demonstrated organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
• Ability to interact with others from diverse social and economic backgrounds.
• Ability to use tact, diplomacy and maintain self-control in handling a broad range of sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities, and to respond appropriately to conflicts and problems.
• Ability to make effective decisions and judgments under pressure and during emergency situations.
• Comprehensive knowledge of and ability to show proficiency of common law enforcement equipment such as firearms, baton, pepper spray, taser, and arrest control techniques.
• Comprehensive knowledge of community policing, problem solving philosophies, public safety procedures and emergency response planning.
• Ability to communicate effectively and establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with the campus community, the surrounding communities and the general public.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in and outside the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to observe and recall details and incidents.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain high quality/standards of work, leadership, initiative, problem solving, commitment, creativity, professional responsibility, and judgment. Ability to represent the University and its interests in a professional and conscientious manner.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university in Criminal Justice, Public or Business Administration or a related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years’ progressively responsible supervisory/management experience in a police department or law enforcement agency, including a minimum of two (2) years’ experience as a Police Commander or equivalent.
• Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Licenses, Certificates, Credentials:

• Must be California POST certified by date of hire. Possession of a valid California driver’s license or the ability to obtain by date of hire.

Salary and Benefits

The anticipated hiring range for this role is $140,000 - $165,000 annually. Note that the offer is calculated based on the background and relevant years of experience of the individual selected.

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information. 

Cal Poly

Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 20,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit calpoly.edu.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Cal Poly is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Supplemental Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. Cal Poly will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions. Applicants for staff and management positions must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

This position may be "Designated" under California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. This would require the filing of a Statement of Economic Interest on an annual basis and the completion of training within 6 months of assuming office and every 2 years thereafter.

The California State University Board of Trustees has approved the integration of the California State University Maritime Academy with California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, effective July 1, 2025. The two campuses will form one academic institution operated as California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and all employment positions with California State University Maritime Academy are subject to this transition. Employees hired in the period after the Trustees’ approval on November 21, 2024 and prior to the integration date on July 1, 2025 will have their employment transitioned to California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.  Employment shall continue to be subject to California State University policies and applicable collective bargaining agreements. Any changes in organizational structure, reporting relationships, or employment conditions will be communicated as details are finalized.