University of Chicago

Captain, Strategic Operations Center

19 December 2025
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Deadline date:
£130000 - £160000 / year

Job Description

Department OPS DSS Police: Support Services Bureau About the Department The University of Chicago Police Department (UCPD) is a full service, CALEA-accredited police department serving the University of Chicago and surrounding areas from 37th Street to 64th Street, and Cottage Grove Avenue to Lake Shore Drive. Members of the Department are committed to conducting their work in a respectful and dignified manner while providing a safe environment for those who live, learn, and work in our community. Job Summary Performs duties associated with direct management and supervision of daily actions within the Strategic Operations Center.

The Captain of the Strategic Operations Center is responsible for ensuring that all Strategic Operations Center policies and procedures are consistently followed. Assists the Commander of the Strategic Operations Center in implementing the units plans consistent with UCPD vision and plan. Performs oversight of sections within the Strategic Operations Center. Responsible for assisting the Commander of the Strategic Operations Center with developing strategies to prevent crime, communicate public safety issues to appropriate resources, and maximize technology.

The Unit is a 24-hour, 7-day a week operation. Captains are assigned to a shift and will require flexibility for awareness and efficiency to ensure public safety for the campus and designated boundaries within the surrounding community.

Performs effectively in any of the UCPD Captain roles as assigned by the UCPD Chief of Police. Responsibilities Provides direct management of activities associated with the emergency communications/dispatch section. Helps identify and deploy best practices for campus and medical center law enforcement.

Assists the Commander of the Strategic Operations Center in creating and implementing effective crime prevention, suppression and investigative methods in partnership with the Field Services unit. Management includes activities within the UCPD jurisdiction including campus properties, non-campus properties and the University of Chicago Medicine facilities. Contributes to establishing goals, objectives, and initiatives and provides assessment data to other members of the Command Staff based on an established measurement system.

Directs and approves performance evaluations for others in the unit. Meets regularly with the Commander of the Strategic Operations Center as well as other team leaders to promote team building, resolve issues, and exchange ideas for improvement.

Contributes to setting goals and follows through with team leaders to ensure direction is appropriate to achieve desired results. Directs and initiates performance improvement plans and corrective action as needed. Provides leadership to critical public safety events and contributes to planning for, managing emergencies, threats, events, and other situations which compromise peace and order within the UCPD jurisdiction.

Complies with the on-call system within the Center command staff and serves as the next level point of contact on a 24/7 basis. Assists in formulating and implementing policies and procedures in compliance with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) standards. Possesses excellent written and oral communications skills to successfully develop and implement policies and procedures; directs and initiates performance improvement if necessary.

Available to work day or night shifts, must be available for on call assignments and available to work 8,10, or 12 hour assignments including weekends. Analyzes crime statistics and trends through review of incident reports, statistical data and CompStat reports from UCPD and other law enforcement agencies as needed. Provides data to assist Field Services prevention and suppression strategies to eliminate or minimize the opportunity for crime trends to continue.

Reviews activity logs and notification correspondence of subordinate staff to ensure adequate supervision, and policy compliance. Functions as a key member of the Strategic Operations Center and assists in making critical management decisions. Disseminates information regarding significant police related events or activities to Command Staff; prepares and reviews periodic activity reports for management.


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