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

About the Department:

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.

About the Position:

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.

Responsibilities:

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 incidents, planned events, and emergency situations requiring Incident Command System (ICS) implementation. Provides command-level decision-making to ensure officer safety, public safety, and coordinated response;
• Coordinates interdepartmental and multi-agency operations, including mutual aid responses, special events, demonstrations, and emergency management incidents. Ensures timely notification and coordination with executive leadership and university administration during significant events affecting campus safety; and
• Provides guidance and direction to subordinate commanders during investigations, warrant processes, and enforcement actions requiring command-level oversight.

Ensures Quality Service Delivery and Community Trust

• Ensures patrol operations are delivered with professionalism, fairness, and respect, consistent with community policing principles and university values. Oversees division-wide community engagement strategies and ensures submission and execution of Community Engagement Plans aligned with campus needs;
• Maintains collaborative relationships with university leadership, University Life, Title IX, Student Conduct, and external criminal justice partners, including courts, Commonwealth’s Attorney, and regional law enforcement partners;
• Ensures appropriate victim services, crisis intervention practices, and coordination with mental health and support resources; and
• Promotes trauma-informed policing and equitable service delivery across all campuses.

Departmental Management and Strategic Support

• Assists in the overall management of the police department as a member of the command staff. Participates in strategic planning, policy development, accreditation preparation, and organizational improvement initiatives;
• Exercises delegated authority to make operational and administrative decisions necessary for effective department functioning. Represents the department in internal and external meetings, task forces, and working groups as assigned; and
• Provides oversight of patrol operations, communications, or other units when required in the absence of assigned commanders.

Professional Accountability and Compliance

• Maintains compliance with all applicable laws, policies, training, certification, and fitness requirements for a sworn command-level position. Ensures adherence to CJIS, VCIN, and FBI information security requirements;
• Models ethical behavior, accountability, and professionalism at all times. Promotes a positive organizational culture and ensures the Patrol Division operates with integrity, transparency, and public trust; and
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Law Enforcement Officer certification required;
• Required to obtain and maintain NCIC/VCIN operator certification in compliance with Virginia State Police and FBI regulations. Must have legal authority to carry and possess issued firearms; required to obtain and maintain Virginia DCJS firearms proficiency/qualifications on an annual basis, at minimum;
• Required to maintain biennial in-service education credits regulated by Virginia DCJS Law Enforcement Officer recertification process;
• Valid driver's license: must currently possess an appropriate, active, valid motor vehicle operator’s license that meets all of GMU’s requirements for operating state vehicles and equipment under Mason’s Vehicle Use Policy 1411 https://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/policies/vehicle-use/. The Office of Risk Management reserves the right to review the driver’s licenses and Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs) of all candidates selected with employment contingent upon a favorable review;
• Active General Instructor and/or Field Training Officer certification required; General Instructor certifications must include one or more of the following: Control Tactics, Firearms, Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC), Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), or other approved DCJS law enforcement training discipline;
• Progressive and substantive experience as a sworn Law Enforcement Officer, demonstrating accomplishments in meeting organizational goals and operational objectives;
• Significant supervisory experience, including oversight of first-line supervisors or mid-level command staff;
• Extensive experience working with diverse community members and stakeholders;
• Knowledge of complex law enforcement operations, multi-campus patrol strategies, and technical investigative tasks;
• Knowledge of administrative and operational functions including policy development, supervision, and resource management at the command level;
• Knowledge of law enforcement leadership, organizational management, and supervisory concepts and practices;
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, university policies, and department policies and procedures;
• Substantive knowledge of law enforcement, public safety, and emergency management practices;
• Skill in providing executive-level leadership, mentoring, coaching, and professional development to sworn personnel, including Police Lieutenants and mid-level supervisors;
• Skill in strategic planning, operational oversight, and incident command during complex or critical incidents;
• Skill in analyzing multi-variable problems, making independent, high-impact decisions, and developing effective solutions;
• Skill in fostering teamwork, collaboration, and a positive organizational culture across multiple units and campuses;
• Skill in written and verbal communication, public relations, and community engagement with diverse internal and external stakeholders;
• Demonstrated skill in strategic operational planning, personnel management, and multi-unit coordination;
• Considerable skill in the use of law enforcement equipment, technology, and data systems relevant to the position;
• Ability to pass rigid background check;
• Ability to pass a physical fitness examination and psychological examination;
• Ability to provide professional, caring, and community-oriented law enforcement services;
• Ability to work effectively under pressure, manage multiple priorities, and respond calmly in emergencies or high-stress situations;
• Ability to plan, organize, direct, and evaluate law enforcement operations, staffing, and resources across multiple campuses;
• Ability to enforce accountability, set measurable objectives, monitor performance, and recognize or correct staff behavior in a fair, consistent, and legally defensible manner;
• Ability to comply with Virginia State Police, FBI, and Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) standards and safeguard confidential information;
• Ability to serve as a liaison and coordinate effectively with university leadership, external law enforcement agencies, courts, and other community stakeholders; and
• Other attributes include integrity, honesty, high ethical standards, accountability, reliability, and a strong commitment to public trust.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field;
• Advanced DCJS certifications in leadership, specialized law enforcement disciplines, or training (e.g., Executive Leadership, Incident Command, Advanced Firearms/Control Tactics Instructor);
• Prior experience in a command-level or supervisory role within a law enforcement agency, preferably in a multi-campus, multi-unit, or accredited/public safety organization;
• Experience with agency accreditation processes, policy development, and strategic planning;
• Advanced experience as a law enforcement trainer/instructor;
• Completion of first-line supervisor training as well as multi-week leadership courses focused on executive, strategic, or civic leadership;
• CIT training and advanced emergency management experience preferred;
• Experience coordinating with multiple internal departments, community organizations, and external law enforcement agencies;
• Demonstrated experience in strategic leadership, operational planning, and multi-campus patrol coordination;
• Considerable knowledge of law enforcement training, supervisory practices, and command-level operations;
• Extensive knowledge of public safety management, emergency management, and multi-agency coordination;
• Exceptional public speaking, negotiation, and interpersonal communication skills; and
• Advanced skills as a law enforcement instructor, trainer, or mentor at the command level.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply by February 19, 2026 for Patrol Captain at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume for review.

Posting Open Date: February 6, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  February 19, 2026

Open Until Filled:  Yes