The University Police Department employs campus police officers, campus safety officers and dispatchers to keep our community safe. With opportunities for advancement, ongoing training and the ability to work in specialized units, employees are given the means to grow within the department.
Campus police officers are state-certified and sworn police officers that exercise the same authority as all other law enforcement agencies under West Virginia Law. Campus safety officers serve in a complementary role to our police officers and are non-sworn civilian officers who assist with non-emergency needs. Dispatchers work in our Communications Center, fielding calls for assistance, monitoring cameras and engaging with the public.
- Campus Police Officer Qualifications and Requirements
- Campus Safety Officer Qualifications and Requirements
- Public Safety Dispatcher Qualifications and Requirements
Campus Police Officer
Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED
- 6-12 months of experience dealing with the public or an equivalent combination of education, military or completion of a law enforcement/criminal justice program will be accepted
- Preference may be given to candidates with greater amounts of directly related civilian or military criminal justice experience
- Preference may be given to certified training or completion of this Department’s field training program
- Preference may be given to already certified candidates
- Must be able to obtain and maintain West Virginia Law Enforcement Officer certification
General Requirements
- Valid driver's license
- Selected candidate(s) must establish residency that is within one-hour response time to the University Police station under normal driving conditions within 90 days of contingent offer and before official hire date
- Drug testing and medical management required
- Selected candidate(s) must successfully pass a background check before official hire date
- Selected candidate(s) must successfully complete a pre-employment psychological evaluation before official hire date
- Selected candidate(s) must successfully complete a pre-employment physical examination and be within a certain height and weight range per WV State Police Academy requirements to be able to attend Academy
- Selected candidate(s) must successfully complete a pre-employment polygraph test before official hire date
- Following hire, applicants who do not possess West Virginia Law Enforcement Officer certification must attend and complete West Virginia Basic Law Enforcement Academy within one year
- Must be bondable upon background check
- Applicant must pass physical agility testing (PAT) prior to final offer
Physical Agility Testing (PAT) Requirements
- Sit-ups: 28 in one minute
- Push-ups: 18 in one minute
- Mile and half run: 14 minutes and 36 seconds
Physical Agility Test Demonstration
Campus Safety Officer
Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED
- 0-6 months of experience dealing with the public
Requirements
- Valid driver's license
- Drug testing and medical management required
- Selected candidate(s) must successfully pass a background check before official hire date
- Must have or be able to obtain CPR certification within three months of hire
Public Safety Dispatcher
Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED
- 0-6 months of experience dealing with the public
- Ability to type at a minimum of 20 words per minute
- Physical demands include:
- Ability to sit, stand and walk for long periods
- Lift moderate weight daily
- Ability to withstand all types of weather when assigned field detail
- Average or above hearing and vision
Requirements
- Drug testing required
- Within six months of hire:
- Association of Public Safety Communications Officials certification
- National Criminal Information System Certification
- Red Cross First Aid Certification
- Red Cross or American Heart Association Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification
- Additional training:
- Three weeks of on-the-job training to learn duties
- At least three weeks of classroom instruction to learn University procedures, customer service, patrol tactics, etc.
- Certification training in defensive tactics and CPR/AED/First Aid
- Optional certification training available in pressure points, ground and knife defense and pepper spray