Description

Position Overview

The Police Officer at the University of Kansas position is a commissioned law enforcement work with full authority under applicable law. The Police Officer performs duties in accordance with departmental rules and regulations, state laws, city ordinances, law enforcement codes of ethics, the US Constitution and Bill of Rights, and the general principles of law enforcement and police work. Those who do not have certification as a law enforcement officer in Kansas will be sent to the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center to complete the required training. The Police Officer regularly conducts criminal investigations, performs searches and seizures, arrests offenders, presents criminal cases to prosecutors for prosecution into district and municipal courts, responds to medical and other emergencies, writes moving traffic violations and assist other local law enforcement agencies. The Police Officer will be briefed by the Police Sergeant on any special assignments or unusual circumstances that exist. Further duties are outlined in the responsibilities section.

Departmental tours are available to those wanting to learn more about the KU Police Department. Contact the Department for tours.

Police officers will receive a one percent (1%) pay raise starting in their first full pay period after completion of probation. The KU Police Department offers opportunities for promotion within the department.

KU Police Department within KU Operations builds partnerships within the KU community to promote a safe and secure campus environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors. KU Operations supports KU's mission of learning, scholarship, and creative endeavor by providing the visible and behind-the-scenes services that make possible the university's academic and research missions.

KU offers great benefits to employees with up to 176 hours of paid vacation per year, 96 hours of sick leave earned per year, nine paid holidays plus one discretionary day, a retirement program, medical & dental insurance, life and disability insurance, other benefit plan options, and State of Kansas discounts offered by various vendors. KU also offers employees educational and professional development opportunities. Tuition assistance offers up to 12 credit hours per year for employees and Employee Dependent Tuition Assistance Scholarship (EDTAS) award opportunities! Details available at: https://humanresources.ku.edu/tuition-assistance.

KU's excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other's success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard, and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.

Job Description

40% - Patrol, Law Enforcement Operations, and Public Safety Response

• Patrols assigned areas on foot or by vehicle to identify signs of trouble and respond with action appropriate to the situation.
• Evaluates observed or suspected violations of law and determines whether to initiate investigations, searches, arrests, or other appropriate actions
• Collects, analyzes, verifies, and assesses the consistency and value of information obtained through interviews with persons involved.
• Makes required notifications as indicated or necessary.
• Interviews complainants, witnesses, and suspects
• Directs and controls traffic flow and pedestrian movement on campus
• Patrols streets and enforces traffic laws and ordinances, issuing traffic citations for moving violations in municipal and district courts as appropriate
• Performs traffic enforcement duties that may include multitasking (e.g., operating a vehicle at higher speeds, reading license plates, communicating via radio, and positioning vehicles to provide safety for officer, violator and public safety.)
• Manages accident scenes by controlling traffic flow, including directing traffic for extended periods and in extreme weather conditions
• Investigates traffic accidents by determining cause, photographing scenes, and/or preparing diagrams conditions.
• Takes appropriate enforcement action related to traffic incidents such as holding safety equipment (i.e. traffic wands) while indicating traffic patterns with arms extended at shoulder height; investigating the cause, which may include photographing and/or sketching diagrams of the scene; and taking appropriate enforcement action. Reports hazardous
• Reports hazardous conditions as observed
• Apprehends and/or arrests violators of the law, exercising care to ensure legal and constitutional soundness which may involve pursuing a suspect on foot in extreme climates over hilly terrain or obstacles and/or restraining combative individuals.
• Takes suspects into custody and completes the booking process. Appears and testifies as a professional witness when summoned
• Responds to emergency situations, which may involve extreme physical exertion such as running up flights of stairs and carrying necessary equipment; makes immediate decisions based on known facts; initiates immediate action to gain control of the situation; renders necessary aid; and interviews all parties involved.
• Operates emergency vehicle safely and within the guidelines established by the department, which could involve driving at high speeds while relaying and receiving pertinent information over excessive background noise.
• Exercises all appropriate caution to ensure safety of all concerned and minimum property damage whenever feasible. Renders aid and assistance to citizens and motorists whenever appropriate.
• Carries out required and appropriate duties when assigned often with short notice and could involve adverse weather conditions and extended hours.
• May be required to supervise others in a limited capacity as the situation demands. Provide training sessions for new officers, when requested.
• May be assigned to work special investigations on a temporary basis as deemed necessary by the department.
• Performs surveillance operations sometimes in extreme weather and/or extended periods of time without relief.

20% - Investigations, Evidence Handling, and Case Management

• Completes written reports in compliance with department procedures. Determines the necessity of report(s) and completes them promptly using the appropriate report forms.
• Initiates follow-up reports when a case requires further investigation.
• Conducts and assists with investigations; testifies in court; and collaborates with other law enforcement agencies
• Locates, collects, handles, and preserves physical evidence.
• When applicable, marks and packages evidence and ensures that it is properly documented and stored for later examination or court presentation. Reports are to be well organized with narration given in chronological order; concisely written by including all pertinent or required information; easy-to-understand using neat and legible handwriting; and written with correct spelling, grammar, punctuation and word use.
• Log, track, and dispose of lost and found property in accordance with departmental procedures.

20% - Community Engagement, Communication, and Interagency Relations

• Establishes and maintains professional contact with University employees, residents and others common to patrol district to obtain cooperation and favorable attitude in the maintenance of order and effective police protection.
• Uses a variety of communications skills and special techniques when contacting members of the community who may include groups with beliefs contrary to those of the officer. Also persons who may be emotionally excited; as well as people with varied cultural and educational backgrounds in order to maintain control of situations/interviews while avoiding negative consequences such as, escalating a potentially explosive situation; making unsubstantiated accusations or innuendoes; and/or unnecessarily alarming individuals.
• Provides information about police policies, procedures and techniques as they affect the public.
• Presents a professional demeanor in accordance with law enforcement code of ethics and a well-groomed appearance in compliance with departmental rules and regulations.
• Disseminate information to the public through programs, literature, community events, and personal contacts.
• Develop and conduct programs at an appropriate level to groups requesting assistance or when a potential problem is identified. Implement community relationship projects or programs to improve the community's perception of law enforcement.
• Maintain relationships with local community resource groups in order to stay abreast of programs and information that can provide assistance to the department and the University.
• Listen to the community's concerns and take steps to assist with those concerns, when possible. Maintains good relations with other law enforcement agencies.

15% - Training and Equipment Management

• Develops skills and proficiency in the use of all equipment to include firearms, batons, handcuffs and vehicles. Maintains safe care and control of authorized equipment and vehicles.
• Keeps all issued equipment readily available and in good repair. Reports all equipment needs to supervisor as those needs arise.
• Maintain an inventory of police department equipment. In some cases, issue uniforms and other equipment too officers.
• Assist with the purchasing process and track purchase orders from the department insuring that purchases meet guidelines set by the department, the University, and State of Kansas. Coordinate maintenance and repair of police vehicles.
• Maintains annual law enforcement officer certification as required by state statute.
• Qualifies with duty weapons per department policy.
• Attends all required departmental training and utilizes such training to its fullest extent.
• Keep current on all legal changes and on all departmental activities affecting the proper discharge of duties.
• Complies with all laws, rules, regulations, code of ethics and procedures applying to the law enforcement profession. Maintains certification in first aid principles and is skilled in their application.

5% - Other duties as assigned

Position Requirements

1. Must be a U. S. citizen.
2. Must be 21 years of age by the time of appointment.
3. Must possess a valid driver's license by hire date and maintain throughout employment.
4. Ability to qualify annually with duty weapon.
5. Must be in compliance with the University of Kansas Police Department policies and procedures regarding intentional body alterations.
6. Successful completion of background check, physical exam, drug screen and psychological assessment.
7. Must be free of convictions, expunged convictions, and diversions for any crimes which are a felony or its equivalent under the uniform code of military justice imposed by a state or federal government (KSA 74-5605).
8. Must be free of any diversions, convictions and expunged convictions for any misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence or their equivalent under the uniform code of military justice imposed by any state or federal government (KSA 74-5605).
9. Must be able to perform all essential job functions and not pose a direct threat to the health and safety of self or others.

Physical Requirements

1. Lift and carry equipment and evidence (up to 50 lbs. occasionally; up to 25 lbs. frequently).
2. Drag, pull, or carry (150-180 lbs.) a distance of 25-50 feet to simulate rescue/evacuation.
3. Push/pull objects (e.g. stalled vehicles, doors, obstacles) with sustained effort.
4. Frequently stand and walk for prolonged periods (up to 8-12 hours per shift) on varied terrain, including stairs, slopes, uneven ground, and in all weather conditions.
5. Run short and mic-distance (e.g., up to 1/4 - ½ mile) over hilly or obstructed terrain; perform rapid changes of direction during foot pursuits.
6. Climb and descend multiple flights of stairs carrying duty gear and emergency equipment.
7. Use physical control/restraint techniques, including grappling, handcuffing, and ground control, which may require kneeling, crouching, twisting, and prone/supine positions.
8. Enter, exit, and operate patrol vehicles repeatedly during a shift including wearing full duty gear.
9. Perform fine and gross motor tasks (e.g., operate firearms, Taser/CEW, radios, computer in car/handheld, baton, handcuffs, tourniquets) with both hands, including gloved use in cold weather.
10. Work in extreme heat/cold, rain, snow, low-light, and high-noise environments.
11. Sufficient hand/eye coordination and dexterity to use cameras, evidence-collection tools, computers, radios, digital systems, and standard law enforcement equipment.
12. Ability to sit for extended periods during interviews, surveillance, or computer-based case work.
13. Must be able to perform all essential job functions safely, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Required Qualifications

1. High school diploma or completion of a G.E.D. equivalency.
2. Certified as a law enforcement officer or ability to be certified without restriction by the Kansas Commission on Peace Officer's Standards and Training.

Additional Candidate Instruction

A complete application includes the following:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Names and contact information of three references

Review Date: Initial application review can begin Monday, June 22nd, 2026. Applications will be reviewed as submitted and applicants will be contacted as positions become available.

Specific Detailed Application Instructions for this position:

Please fill out the online application and attach a cover letter and resume. Please upload the cover letter and resume on the first page of the online application.

Disclaimer

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and procedures and is the Title IX Coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY. Reports can be submitted by contacting the Title IX Coordinator as provided herein or using the Title IX online report form and complaints can be submitted with the Title IX Coordinator or using the Title IX online complaint form.