Police Officer
- Employer
- The University of Kansas
- Location
- University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
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- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Institution Type
- Four-Year Institution
Job Details
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. Learn more about working for the KU Police Department here: https://kupolice.ku.edu/careers-0
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 Description40% - 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Must be a U. S. citizen.
- Must be 21 years of age by the time of appointment.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license by hire date and maintain throughout employment.
- Ability to qualify annually with duty weapon.
- Must be in compliance with the University of Kansas Police Department policies and procedures regarding intentional body alterations.
- Successful completion of background check, physical exam, drug screen and psychological assessment.
- 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).
- 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).
- Must be able to perform all essential job functions and not pose a direct threat to the health and safety of self or others.
- Lift and carry equipment and evidence (up to 50 lbs. occasionally; up to 25 lbs. frequently).
- Drag, pull, or carry (150-180 lbs.) a distance of 25-50 feet to simulate rescue/evacuation.
- Push/pull objects (e.g. stalled vehicles, doors, obstacles) with sustained effort.
- 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.
- 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.
- Climb and descend multiple flights of stairs carrying duty gear and emergency equipment.
- Use physical control/restraint techniques, including grappling, handcuffing, and ground control, which may require kneeling, crouching, twisting, and prone/supine positions.
- Enter, exit, and operate patrol vehicles repeatedly during a shift including wearing full duty gear.
- 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.
- Work in extreme heat/cold, rain, snow, low-light, and high-noise environments.
- Sufficient hand/eye coordination and dexterity to use cameras, evidence-collection tools, computers, radios, digital systems, and standard law enforcement equipment.
- Ability to sit for extended periods during interviews, surveillance, or computer-based case work.
- Must be able to perform all essential job functions safely, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- High school diploma or completion of a G.E.D. equivalency.
- Certified as a law enforcement officer or ability to be certified without restriction by the Kansas Commission on Peace Officer’s Standards and Training.
- Commissioned law enforcement experience as a certified police officer
- Significant progress towards/or achievement of an associate's degree or higher in administration of justice, criminal justice or a closely related field.
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Names and contact information of three references
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. Contact Information to ApplicantsChief Nelson Mosley, nelsonmosley@ku.edu; 785-864-5900Advertised Salary RangeStarts at $66,000Application Review BeginsMonday June 22, 2026Anticipated Start DateMonday August 10, 2026Apply to Job
Organization
Working at the University of Kansas
Join the University of Kansas, and you’ll become part of a Jayhawk family that spans the globe. Wear your KU shirt in London, Istanbul, Buenos Aires, Nairobi or anywhere else, and you will likely hear a resounding “Rock Chalk!” from a stranger. Of course, the appropriate response is an enthusiastic “Jayhawk!” Because, after all, they’re not really strangers, they’re family.
The Jayhawk community is united by more than 150 years of tradition and by our commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge, transforming the academic experience, and creating solutions through innovative research. KU’s mission is to lift students and society by educating leaders, building healthy communities and making discoveries that change the world.
The University of Kansas is the state’s flagship university and one of just 66 invited members of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). We consistently earn high rankings for academics and recognition as a premier research university.
KU faculty and staff embrace our role as the state’s flagship university, AAU member and R1 institution that serves the state, nation and world. We celebrate the energy and compassion that infuse the Jayhawk spirit; and, we remain true to KU’s historic values: the elevating force of education, the transformative power of research and the healing power of service.
Instruction
KU offers a broad array of undergraduate and graduate study programs, and we fulfill our mission through academic and research programs of international distinction, coupled with outstanding libraries, teaching museums and information technology. These resources enrich the academic experience for students from all 50 states and 112 countries, and provide enrichment resources for KU faculty and staff.
Research
The university attains high levels of research productivity and recognizes that faculty are part of a network of scholars and academicians that shape a discipline as well as teach it. KU staff are integral to our research success, participating in and supporting discoveries that expand knowledge and improve lives.
Service
The university and our employees serve society through research, teaching and the preservation and dissemination of knowledge. KU's academic programs, arts facilities and public programs provide cultural enrichment opportunities for the larger community. And, KU offers educational, research and service programs throughout the state. KU employees are encouraged to participate in and serve the campus and surrounding communities in a way that is meaningful to them.
International Dimension
KU offers more than 100 programs of international study and cooperative research for KU students and faculty at sites around the world. The university offers teaching and research that draw upon and contribute to the most advanced developments throughout the United States and abroad. At the same time, KU's extensive international ties support economic development in Kansas.
Values
The University of Kansas, our students and employees are committed to excellence. We foster a multicultural, inclusive environment in which the dignity and rights of individuals are respected. Intellectual diversity, integrity and disciplined inquiry in the search for knowledge are of paramount importance.
Our City and State
KU sits atop Mt. Oread in the center of Lawrence, a town full of natural beauty and culture. In fact, Rolling Stone magazine named Lawrence one of the best college towns in the United States. Lawrence is home to more than 100,000 people, and has a charming, Midwestern friendliness that welcomes visitors and celebrates diversity. In addition to KU, Lawrence is home to Haskell Indian Nations University, the premiere tribal university in the United States.
Lawrence’s historic and thriving downtown features restaurants, nightlife and local shops offering unique finds that you won’t find anywhere else. The town has more than 50 parks, an encompassing mixed-use trail, and quick access to biking/hiking trails along the Kansas River and around Clinton Lake. A five-minute drive from Lawrence, Clinton Lake offers fishing, boating, beaches, camping and other outdoor activities.
Located just 40 minutes west of Kansas City, Lawrence offers the appeal of a mid-size, suburban town with quick access to the amenities of a large city, including an international airport. The Kansas City metro area is home to world-class museums and cultural activities, Jazz clubs and other nightlife venues, expansive shopping options, and exciting professional sports with the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals and Sporting KC.
Kansas is in the center of the country, making it convenient and cost effective to fly or drive to destinations throughout the United States. Far from flat, the Flint Hills, just 90 minutes from Lawrence, offer panoramic vistas that showcase the breathtaking beauty of America.
Making KU Your Home
Something about Lawrence is magnetic. Long-time residents are never surprised when a KU student or employee from out of state decides to make Lawrence their permanent home. And, even those who do leave often find themselves returning to “the nest” at some point in the future. In fact, Lawrence has been named by several publications as one of the best places to retire.
At the University of Kansas, you’ll join a global Jayhawk family and find a place to call home.
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