Chief of Police

THE POSITION

Under the general direction of the
District Administrator, the Chief of
Police serves as the District’s
chief law enforcement executive
and provides strategic leadership
and operational oversight for
police services across the Riverside
Community College District. As a
sworn peace officer and member
of the District’s leadership team, the
Chief is responsible for ensuring a
safe, welcoming, and supportive
environment for students, faculty,
staff, and visitors across the District’s
colleges and facilities. The Chief
leads the day-to-day operations of
the Police Department, establishes
and implements policies and pro-
cedures consistent with evolving
law enforcement practices and
applicable federal, state, and local
requirements, and ensures that
police services are aligned with the
District’s strategic priorities and
commitment to student success.
A highly visible and collaborative
leader, the Chief serves as the
District’s community policing
advocate and builds strong part-
nerships with College and District
leadership, Trustees, students,
employees, community members,
and regional law enforcement
agencies. The Chief provides
thoughtful guidance and recom-
mendations on matters involving
public safety, criminal activity and
intelligence, emergency prepared-
ness, and other issues affecting
the campus community. The Chief
will be expected to cultivate
productive relationships with
internal and external partners,
participate in state, regional, and
local law enforcement organizations
and committees, and foster an
environment in which communi-
cation, trust, accountability, and
collaboration are central to
the department’s work.
The Chief provides strategic
direction for the Depart-
ment’s future, developing
and implementing depart-
mental goals and strategic
plans while ensuring re-
sources are effectively
aligned with District priori-
ties. Responsibilities include
oversight of the Department’s
budget and fiscal operations,
audits and inspections, investi-
gations, required reporting including
the Clery Report, and presentations
to a wide range of stakeholders. The Chief
also works closely with District, College, and campus partners to
strengthen emergency preparedness and response capabilities and
encourages regular communication and collaboration among
management, staff, and campus units.
As the Department’s Training Compliance Officer, the Chief ensures
compliance with Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST)
requirements and other applicable training standards while promoting
the ongoing professional development of Department personnel. The
Chief evaluates the Department’s organizational structure and
recommends adjustments to meet evolving District and College
needs. Through effective leadership, the Chief recruits, develops,
supervises, evaluates, and holds personnel accountable while fostering
a professional, service-oriented culture. Ultimately, the Chief will bring
together sound law enforcement practices with a strong commit-
ment to partnership, communication, and the educational
mission of Riverside Community College District.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

RCCD is seeking a strong, experienced, and
collaborative leader with demonstrated experience
serving a college or university as its next Chief of
Police. The ideal candidate will bring a high level
of professionalism, integrity, sound judgment,
and emotional intelligence to the role, along with
a genuine understanding of the unique public
safety needs and dynamics of a diverse academic
environment. The Chief will be comfortable engaging
with and building trust among administrators, faculty,
staff, students, and community members representing a
wide range of ethnic, cultural, socioeconomic, and personal
backgrounds. The successful candidate will demonstrate
sensitivity to the diverse needs of the District community
while adapting effectively to evolving leadership styles,
priorities, and organizational needs.
The ideal candidate will be an exceptional people
leader who can effectively supervise, manage, train,
develop, and evaluate employees
while fostering accountability,
professional growth, teamwork,
and high performance. The Chief
will lead by example, consistently
modeling impeccable professional
ethics, integrity, conduct, and
demeanor. A confident and decisive
leader, the Chief will be prepared
to take command during emergen-
cy situations, delegate effectively,
establish clear expectations, and
hold staff accountable for results.
The successful candidate will
also demonstrate strong organiza-
tional skills, meet deadlines, follow
through on commitments, and
ensure that tasks and responsi-
bilities are completed in a timely
and effective manner.
Strong communication and rela-
tionship-building skills will be
essential. The Chief must be an
articulate and approachable
communicator who can convey
information clearly and effectively,
both orally and in writing, to a
wide range of audiences, including
individuals who may be upset,
frustrated, or difficult. The successful
candidate will establish and
maintain positive, productive
working relationships with
students, employees,
community members,
peers, colleagues,
supervisors, District
executives, elected
officials, allied public
safety agencies,
vendors, and contrac-
tors. The Chief will work
cooperatively across
organizational and juris-
dictional boundaries, accept
direction and feedback in a
constructive manner, and foster an
environment built on mutual respect,
collaboration, and accountability.
Above all, RCCD seeks a Chief
of Police who is committed to
providing responsive, efficient,
and high-level service to the
entire District community. The ideal
candidate will combine strong law enforcement
leadership with a service-oriented approach, sound
judgment, cultural awareness, and the ability to navigate
the complex and evolving needs of a diverse higher
education environment.
Minimum Qualifications
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
in criminal justice, public administration, business administration,
or a related field, along with ten (10) years of progressively re-
sponsible law enforcement experience encompassing the ma-
jor phases of police work, including at least five (5) years of ad-
ministrative and supervisory experience at a level comparable
to police lieutenant or seven (7) years of experience as a police
sergeant; or an equivalent combination of education, training,
and experience.
A master’s degree and experience working in a culturally diverse
college or university environment are highly desirable.
Licenses and Certifications
The RCCD Chief of Police serves as a sworn peace officer of the
State of California. In accordance with California Penal Code §832.4(c),
each police chief, or other person in charge of a local law enforcement
agency, appointed on or after January 1, 1999, must obtain the basic
certificate issued by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards
and Training (POST) within two years of appointment as a condition of
continued employment.
Possession of California POST (or equivalent) Basic, Intermediate,
Advanced, and Supervisory Certifications is required at the time of
appointment. A POST Management Certificate is highly desirable.
The successful candidate must also be qualified to carry and use a
firearm in accordance with applicable state regulations and possess
a valid California driver’s license. Proof of insurability may be required
when operating a District or personal vehicle on District business.