DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the primary department charged with creating a safe and secure environment at Princeton University. DPS operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and is comprised of 162 staff members. The department consists of professional University police, security officers, dispatchers and administrators dedicated to providing best-in-class service to the community.
DPS was originally recognized and awarded Law Enforcement Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) in July 2015, and subsequently awarded reaccreditation status in July 2018 and July 25, 2022. CALEA serves as the “International Gold Standard for Public Safety Agencies” and oversees a rigorous accreditation process. In addition, DPS was awarded accreditation status by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (NJLEAC) on March 14, 2019, and subsequently awarded reaccreditation status on March 10, 2022 . These awards are a mark of professional excellence and signify that we have earned these distinguished honors through continued compliance with CALEA/NJLEAC Standards. Throughout these processes, we established and implemented policies and practices that meet or exceed the National and State standards, to serve both the Department and the community well in the future.
DPS sworn University Police Officers have the authority of commissioned police officers with full power of arrest deriving their law enforcement authority from New Jersey statutes (Title 18A, Sections 6-4.2 and 6-4.5) and the Trustees of Princeton University. Title 18A, Section 6-4.5 provides that sworn University Police Officers “shall possess all the powers of policemen and constables in criminal cases and offenses against the law anywhere in the State of New Jersey [including the powers of arrest], pursuant to any limitations as may be imposed by the governing body of the institution which appointed and commissioned the person.” DPS sworn University Police Officers are licensed law enforcement officers as defined in NJSA 52:17B-67.
University Police Officers are required to complete the same police academies and annual training as their municipal counterparts. This training has been approved and authorized by the State of New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice Police Training Commission. Our university police officers, who are unarmed on a daily basis, have access to a police service rifle in limited situations. Police officers may access service rifles when there is an in-progress threat with an individual brandishing a firearm, an active shooter, or an individual actively committing serious bodily injury or death with a deadly weapon on or “contiguous” to campus. All police officers have qualified with a firearm while at the police academy and are required to attend mandatory in-service firearms training throughout the year to enable them to perform more efficiently and more safely. DPS has 50 sworn officers including the Assistant Vice President, director of operations, the patrol captain, 5 lieutenants, 7 sergeants, 6 corporals, 3 detectives, 25 police officers, and the communications center manager.
To read the Princeton University Annual Security and Fire Safety Report click here.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Patrol Lieutenant, reporting to the Patrol Captain, is an administrator of the Department of Public Safety (DPS). The Lieutenant is responsible for regular reviews of department policies, procedures, rules, regulations, job descriptions, and orders to ensure compliance with existing state and federal laws. Advises the Assistant Vice President (AVP), Director of Operations (DO) or designee of changes needed. They develop and suggest changes to policies, regulations, customs, and practices, which will be done only under the guidance and request of the AVP.
The Lieutenant may assist the Patrol Captain with the development of policies, procedures, rules and regulations for the Department. The Lieutenant is required to respond to and staff major incidents and events. The Lieutenant supervises the patrol staff to ensure that the Department preserves the peace, protects persons and property and obeys and enforces University, state and local policies, rules, laws and ordinances; maintains order; prevents crime and makes arrests and performs related work as required. The Lieutenant promotes the Department’s “Community Caretaking” mission.
Under the supervision of the Patrol Captain issues lawful orders necessary to ensure the effective performance of the department and its personnel and is one of the department authorities in matters of policy, operations, and discipline.
As a patrol supervisor, the Lieutenant:
Lieutenants assigned to patrol will have rotating days off and generally work a schedule that aligns with the Evening shift. DPS is a 24/7, 365-day operation that will require the Lieutenant to be on call and work non-standard hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Patrol – 35%
Administrative – 30%
Community Relations – 15%
Training – 10%
Emergencies – 5%
Additional Duties as Assigned - 5%
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS)
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