Lieutenant

Job Description:

As a member of the senior management team of the Brown University Police Department, the Lieutenant plays an active role in leading and influencing the Department’s mission while supervising the day-to-day safety and security operations of the University. The Lieutenant serves as the area manager for the uniformed operations of the Community Policing Bureau, maintaining responsibility for all operations within an assigned area of campus, including the enforcement of all applicable laws and the protection of life and property. Key duties include supervising shift sergeants, reviewing officer activity to ensure the use of proper community-oriented policing problem-solving techniques, and coordinating follow-up actions with detectives, student life deans, academic managers, and other law enforcement agencies.  Additionally, the Lieutenant provides critical command guidance during major incidents and emergency situations. In the absence of the Captain, the Lieutenant serves as the officer-in-charge responsible for all Bureau functions.

Depending on the needs of the department, the Lieutenant may be assigned to patrol operations, investigative services, training and professional standards, or other duties as directed by the Vice President for Campus Safety and Emergency Management or their designee.

Major Responsibility:      Operational oversight and incident coordination

Supporting Actions:

• Provides for a safe and secure environment for the University community.
• Issues, through line of command, instructions, orders and directions to Sergeants, Detectives, Officers and civilian staff.  Manages and supervises activities on a specific shift, unit, or assigned area as designated by the Vice President for Public Safety and Emergency Management or their designee.
• Oversees the enforcement of current State laws, city ordinances, and university rules and regulations.
• Implements and interprets department policies, procedures and standards.  Determines the methods to be used in different routine and emergency situations.
• Provides instruction and guidance in police methods and techniques to officers.  Coordinates and performs inspections of personnel and equipment.   Ensures compliance with all applicable procedures, laws, and judicial regulations.
• Determines immediate actions to be taken in emergency situations. May coordinate police efforts at the scene of serious crimes.  Coordinates efforts with local police departments in apprehending suspects.  Responds to emergency or life-threatening criminal situations. 
• Provides briefings and input on policy formulation.
• Interacts with internal contacts such as department heads, deans, masters, and personnel in various University administrative offices to provide and/or solicit information related to incidents, complaints, investigations and related safety concerns, and to place safety-related facilities repair requests.  Interacts with external contacts such as Federal, State, and local level law enforcement agencies to discuss security issues, and to participate in cooperative efforts and exchange information.
• Issues campus-wide notifications or timely warnings as required by law and/or department policy.
• Ensures that complaints made against the University Police Department or any of its employees are properly recorded and investigations are initiated.  
• Serves as commander-on-call on a rotating basis.
• Performs related work as required.  

Major Responsibility:     Personnel management and performance evaluation

Supporting Actions:

• Directs and supervises sergeants and their staff, issuing instructions and shift assignments.
• Trains, coaches, mentors and evaluates performance.  Works closely with sergeants in identifying substandard performance of personnel and provides to those mentoring, coaching and training. 
• Conducts inspections of personnel and equipment to ensure adherence to professional appearance and safety standards.
• Initiates investigations into personnel or service complaints and makes recommendations for disciplinary action.

Major Responsibility:    Other/administrative duties as assigned by the VP for Campus Safety and Emergency Management or their designee

Supporting Actions:

• Provide leadership to bureaus or teams charged with various functions, including but not limited to accreditation, investigations, and special events

Decisions the position is free to make:

• Deployment of shift personnel.
• Coordination of problem-solving efforts and deployment of personnel to address specific crime problems.

Decisions that depend upon the position’s advice: 

• Recommendations for disciplinary action or commendations for staff
• Advice on the development of new policies or training topics to address operational deficiencies.
• Recommendations for revisions to existing policies and development of new policies in order to meet stated department goals and/or accreditation standards.

Dimensions:

• Responsible for shift personnel, typically comprised of three sergeants and approximately 15-18 officers

Education and Experience:

• Associate’s Degree required; bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of three years’ experience as a sergeant
• Graduate of Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy
• Licensable by the RI State Police under RI General Law 12-2.1-1

Job Competencies:

• Ability to plan, assign, and supervise the work and training of subordinates and to command their respect. 
• Strong mentoring/coaching skills, initiative, decision-making, and independent judgment.
• Able to manage conflict and facilitate difficult conversations.
• Competence in analyzing situations quickly and objectively and in determining proper course of action on own initiative.
• Able to obtain information through interview and interrogation and be able to deal with the public in a respectful way during stressful conditions.
• Understanding of the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act and proficiency in issuing campus-wide timely warnings.

Additional physical demands and working conditions:

The practice of responding to emergency calls for assistance to meet the needs and expectations of the university community may create an unsafe environment for those supervisors and officers for whom they are responsible.  Additionally, in both emergency situations and routine incidents, there is a need for legal decision-making regarding the probable cause to arrest and/or the probable cause to search. The lieutenant must have a working knowledge of both the criminal offenses and criminal procedure statues of the state of Rhode Island, as well as the policies and procedures for report-writing, criminal charging, and the detection policies and procedures of the Providence Police Department.

Application review is ongoing.

Criminal and education background check satisfactory to Brown University.

Benefits of Working at Brown:

Please review additional information on the Benefits of Working at Brown.

Recruiting Start Date:

2026-09-09

Job Posting Title:

Lieutenant

Department:

Public Safety and Emergency Management

Grade:

Grade 11

Worker Type:

Employee

Worker Sub-Type:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Position Work Location:

Onsite

 

Submission Guidelines:

The designated Position Work Location for each position determines the approved modality of work. Positions are classified based on the operational and business needs of the department and may be designated as on-site, hybrid, or remote.

Employees with a designated position work location as remote must reside and perform their work in a state where Brown University is registered to do business. Brown University is a registered employer in the following states: Rhode Island, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Washington, D.C.

Please note that to be considered for a staff position at Brown University, you must submit a separate application for each position you wish to be considered for. Applications are reviewed only for the specific position to which they are submitted and are not automatically considered for future openings.  

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Still Have Questions?

If you have any questions you may contact [email protected].

Brown is an E-Verify Employer.

EEO Statement:

Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, in the administration of its policies, programs, and activities. The University recognizes and rewards individuals on the basis of qualifications and performance. The University maintains certain affirmative action programs in compliance with applicable law.