Campus Police Officer

Thank you for your interest in working at William Paterson University.

William Paterson University is a purpose-driven, proudly diverse community—designated as both a public Hispanic-Serving Institution and Minority-Serving Institution—committed to creating transformative academic, professional, and personal experiences as a powerhouse of progress. We foster a workplace that values growth, flexibility, and community, and we are recognized as a 2024 and 2025 Forbes’ Best Employers by State, 2025 Great College to Work For, and honored with the NJBIZ Empowering Women Award. 

Our 1,000 dedicated staff members enjoy competitive benefits, a four-day summer workweek, tuition support, and strong opportunities for internal promotion. Situated on a scenic suburban campus just 20 miles from New York City, WP offers a diverse, inclusive environment where your contributions fuel student success, economic and social mobility, and community engagement. Together, we empower our students through intentional, holistic support within flexible, innovative, and inclusive settings—preparing graduates to thrive professionally and personally, and to lead with a commitment to progress in New Jersey and beyond. 

We invite you to join William Paterson University: a wonderful community to learn, work, grow, and thrive. William Paterson University has been named to Forbes’ prestigious “Best Employers by State” list for 2024, recognizing the institution as one of the best-ranked employers in New Jersey based on nationwide surveys. WP is one of four education institutions on the Garden State’s list this year. Here is the link to the article forbes-best-in-state-employers-new-jersey-2024. William Paterson University is among more than 40 companies and organizations that will be honored with a 2024 NJBIZ Empowering Women Award for their commitment to supporting and elevating women employees.

William Paterson University employs approximately 1000 full time employees in the state who work in a variety of positions ranging from professors to administrative assistants and administrators, physical plant operations, campus police, athletics coaches, academic advisors, and more.

Spanning more than 400 wooded acres in suburban Wayne, New Jersey – just 20 miles from New York City – our campus is one of the most diverse in the nation and it ranks in the top 4 percent of colleges for social mobility. William Paterson is a strong proponent of employees growing their careers there. More than fifty percent of the University’s roles are filled by promotions from within. We’re not only committed to social mobility for our students, but also for our employees.

Your work as a member of our team is important to our students and to the progress of our University. What you do here matters, and we value every contribution.

William Paterson University seeks applications for the title of Campus Police Officer, Department of Public Safety.

Definition:

Under the supervision of a Campus Police Sergeant, Lieutenant, and/or other supervisory officer in the Campus Police Department in a State University Campus, provides foot and vehicular patrol, security and surveillance, assistance and protection for persons and property; assures observance of the law and apprehends law breakers for an entire university campus, and, when required, performs these duties in cooperation with municipal, county, state, and federal law enforcement officers; does related work as required.

The University Police Department is a 24/7, 365-day operation. Therefore, the successful candidate must be able to work all shifts including weekends, holidays, and overtime shifts as offered, or possibly required (mandatory), as departmental needs dictate.

The University Police Department is a NJ State Law Enforcement Agency and operates under NJ Civil Service Commission (CSC) Rules and Regulations. Individuals already employed by a CSC Law Enforcement Agency must be able to obtain an approved/signed Intergovernmental Transfer from their employer. William Paterson University will not pay any fees associated with a transfer including but not limited to, those under NJ Title 40A - Municipalities and Counties, Section 40A:14-178 - Liability for training costs.

Providing a safe and secure community is the highest priority of the personnel who serve as members of the University Police Department. Staffed by Police Officers, Security Officers, Student Patrols, and other support personnel, the University Police Department provides a variety of traditional and non-traditional police services and employs measures intended to enhance the safety of the University community. Members of the Department are committed to Community-Oriented Policing and working closely with students, staff, and faculty to maintain a high quality of life, safety, and security at William Paterson University.

*** This is an in-person, on-campus, non-remote position.***

Duties and Responsibilities:

Examples of work and responsibilities the Campus Police Officer shall learn and perform include but are not limited to:

• Patrol the buildings and grounds of a State college/university campus on foot or in a patrol vehicle while armed with a firearm, in uniform, or while assigned to a plainclothes detail to ensure campus security and to guard against trespass, theft, damage to property, fire, and injury.
• Take necessary measures to safeguard the lives and property of all members of the college/university community and of visitors to the campus.
• Enforce State laws, as well as the rules and regulations of the State University.
• When necessary, apprehend, detain, warn, and/or take into custody violators of the law.
• Respond to and/or recognize/observe and, as necessary, investigate criminal, civil, and other complaints (including those of motor vehicle violations) while adhering to established the Police Department and University rules, regulations, and policies.
• Coordinate initial incident/crime scene response effort with appropriate local, county, or state Law Enforcement agencies or other first responders or public agencies when required or when assistance is needed.
• Preserve evidence/contraband by tagging, marking, and/or sealing for safekeeping and, if necessary, transport evidence to court to assist with judicial proceedings.
• Respond to physical and verbal altercations including domestic disputes.
• Assist security officers and/or campus student patrol/guards as necessary and in their investigations, and review and provide guidance with their reports.
• Provide general assistance to all persons on the campus, including providing information regarding campus locations, special events, campus regulations, provisions of the law, and other matters.
• Regulate and control pedestrian and vehicular traffic when necessary to ensure safety and reasonable, rapid movement of traffic with minimum interference.
• Select a location to stop a violator on foot or in a motor vehicle that ensures safety to the officer, the public, and the alleged violator and communicate location and other pertinent information with the dispatcher.
• Enforce traffic laws and regulations: issue verbal/written warnings and/or summonses to traffic violators and explain legal procedures regarding summonses.
• Gather information from motor vehicle accident drivers, occupants, and witnesses to determine the facts of the accident and to complete an accident report.
• Assist stranded motorists by providing for their immediate safety (e.g. providing traffic safety with a patrol vehicle or other devices) if necessary and notifying the proper service providers.
• Recognize unsafe or hazardous situations, occurrences, or conditions (e.g. holes in the pavement, other dangerous holes, fallen rocks and trees, inoperative/poor lighting, and other conditions constituting dangers or hazards) and take necessary action and/or report the same to safeguard life and property.
• Promote and preserve civil order.
• Work special events or details as assigned (e.g. concerts, demonstrations, strikes) to provide safety and security and enforce rules, regulations, and laws as necessary.
• Reports campus conditions to dispatch while patrolling the designated territory when necessary.
• Take needed action regarding suspicious persons and conditions and report significant actions, occurrences, and conditions.
• Transport persons needing assistance during emergency and/or official business.
• Execute official documents (e.g. warrants, subpoenas) as required.
• Pursue fleeing suspect(s) on foot, bicycle, motorcycle, horse, segway, or in a vehicle, in accordance with Department Policy and Attorney General guidelines.
• Conduct searches of persons, premises, automobiles, or other property as per legal requirements and in accordance with policy and procedure.
• Process juvenile detentions/arrests.
• Maintain radio communications with headquarters by operating portable radio or patrol vehicle radio in order to facilitate patrol activities.
• Respond to and communicate with the dispatcher/control center all crimes, disturbances, or medical calls in progress.
• Record the arrest of an individual (e.g. complete forms, fingerprints, and photograph) to document the arrest.
• Facilitate the movement of people and activities.
• Inspect the patrol vehicle for damage, weapons, and contraband before and after prisoner transport and before starting a shift.
• Provide police escort when sums of money are in transit.
• Escort and/or transport the accused to detention centers.
• Administer first aid in the case of accidents or emergencies.
• Attend line up/roll call for briefings of criminal activity, training, etc.
• Report orally or in writing to supervisors on the results of investigations, personnel status, and on emergency or potential emergencies.
• Confer with incoming/off-going colleagues to discuss such things as criminal activity, unresolved incidents, and other matters.
• May provide assistance to other jurisdictions including colleges/universities, upon request and with the approval of a supervisor.
• When assigned to night duty, checks and notes whether gates, doors, gratings, and entrances are securely fastened when they should be and, if they are not, investigates and notifies interested persons and Campus Police Headquarters of conditions which should be corrected.
• Maintain accountabilities for all keys (e.g. for vehicles, gates, and doors) to limit access to restricted areas.
• Observe and inspect cars and persons in restricted areas to determine if presence is authorized and take appropriate action as necessary.
• Give testimony under oath in court.
• When assigned to Campus Police Headquarters, receives calls for service, complaints, takes proper action by notifying Campus Police Officers and/or Security Officers by radio or other means, and helps maintain accurate records.
• Prepare clear, accurate, and informative reports of significant activities and conditions.
• Establish and maintain field contacts and intelligence sources.
• Adhere to all relevant Attorney General Law Enforcement Directives and Guidelines.
• Operate body-worn camera when appropriate and in accordance with policy.
• Ensure adherence to policies and procedures concerning school security and safety.
• May perform active shooter training for students, faculty, and staff, coordinating an emergency response.
• Ensure adherence to procedures and protocols for sexual assault response and referrals.
• Ensure adherence to policies and protocols pertaining to building trust with diverse local communities.
• Responsible for the efficient performance of all duties in conformance with the rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and orders contained in all manuals issued by the Campus Police Department.
• Maintain essential Campus Police records and files.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the department and university.
• Coordinate with other University Departments as necessary and/or required.
• How and when to conduct preliminary investigations of crimes and when to notify appropriate supervisors and/or detectives. Complete associated and appropriate reports, complaints, and other required tasks.
• When appropriate, conduct field sobriety tests to determine probable cause for breath or blood test and/or arrest for alcohol or drug use.
• Safely and effectively direct traffic, place emergency signaling devices (flares, cones), or take other necessary action to ensure a safe and orderly flow of traffic when confronted with unusual traffic conditions (e.g. accidents, stoplight failures, road repair or closure, major events).
• Safeguard arrestees or other individuals in custody during interviews, arrests/processing, and/or while receiving medical services.

Requirements:

• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and a US citizen.
• Must be a resident of NJ and possess a valid NJ driver’s license.
• Minimum of proof of graduation from high school or vocational school or possession of an approved high school equivalent certificate.
• Be of good moral character, sound body, and good health.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak English well and intelligently.
• Candidates selected for the position must pass a medical examination, a psychological examination, a drug test, and a comprehensive and complete background investigation.
• Candidates must be able to pass a NJ Police Training Commission (PTC), Physical Fitness Pre-assessment.
• Candidates must obtain a Certification from a PTC Approved Basic Course for Police Officers within 9 months of hire.
• Candidates must be able to obtain a NJ PTC Police Officer License within 9 months of hire.
• Candidates must be able to work assignments to rotating shifts consisting of days and overnights, including weekends and holidays.
• Candidates must possess strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills and the ability and desire to work with a diverse population.
• Pursuant to P.L. 2021, c.7, “alternate route” appointment, the candidate must have successfully completed a full Basic Course for Police Officer’s training course at a school approved and authorized by the New Jersey Police Training Commission or if the candidate has demonstrated to the Police Training Commission to that commission’s satisfaction, that they have successfully completed a police training course conducted by any Federal, State, or other public or private agency the requirements of which are substantially equivalent to the requirements of that at a school approved and authorized Police Training Commission. (Such training includes successful attainment at a level of proficiency in the use of firearms.)

Personal attributes and traits:

• Strong interpersonal communication skills with the ability to interact with a diverse group of individuals.
• Ability to lead while remaining calm and decisive in stressful situations.
• Ability to take direction and follow orders, abide by the law, policy, procedure, and regulations.
• Ability to make quick decisions using sound judgment and knowledge of the law, policy, procedure, and regulations.
• Ability to take charge of situations and professionally conduct themselves.
• Ability to prepare clear, accurate, and comprehensive documents including police reports.
• Ability to work fast and accurately in situations where there is pressure or emotional distress.

PBA - Range 17 - Starting Salary - $69,244.57

This position may be eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, which includes health and dental insurance and retirement plans. To learn more please click on this link to our Benefits Package Pamphlet (PBA)

Below is the link to the New Jersey residency requirement that career service employees are subject to:

https://www.nj.gov/labor/research-info/njfirst.shtml

Note:

This is an ongoing posting designed to create a pool of qualified candidates for anticipated and future vacancies. An immediate opening may not be available at the time of application. Applicants who meet the qualifications may be contacted by the Hiring Manager if a position becomes available and they are selected to move forward in the interview process.

Invitation to Apply:

Interested candidates will be prompted to:

Complete an application Submit a cover letter & resume/cv

Required Documents:

Cover Letter, Resume/CV

All documents should be uploaded when prompted to upload your resume.

General questions related to this application process, please contact humanresources@wpunj.edu . Please include with your inquiry the Job Requisition number beginning with R as well as the job title and department.

Salary Range:

Total Rewards and Benefits:

Click here to view the total rewards of working at WP

William Paterson University is committed to protecting your privacy and will not sell your personal information.

EEO Statement

William Paterson University is dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race or ethnicity, sex/gender (including pregnancy), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, civil union status, familial status, religion, national origin or citizenship, military service status, or any other category protected by law. William Paterson University does not discriminate on the basis of any category stated above or as prohibited by applicable law. Individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

For more information, visit University Facts