Department

OPS DSS Police: Patrol Services

About the Department

The University of Chicago Police Department (UCPD) is a full service, CALEA-accredited police department serving the University of Chicago and surrounding areas from 37th Street to 64th Street, and Cottage Grove Avenue to Lake Shore Drive. Members of the department are committed to conducting their work in a respectful and dignified manner while providing a safe environment for those who live, learn, and work in our community.

Job Information

Job Summary:

Provides aid and safeguards to all members of the University community, students, faculty, and staff working and living in the area. Performs routine vehicular, bicycle and foot patrols; investigates criminal activity; enforces traffic and parking regulations; conducts a variety of crime prevention activities to protect life and property; prevents disorder; apprehends and assists in the prosecution of criminals; responds to emergencies, and enforces laws and ordinances. Serves as a resource and trains non-certified and less experienced Police Officers.

Responsibilities:

• Safely operate department equipment on patrol; make periodic interior and exterior premise checks of University grounds to determine existence of unusual or hazardous conditions; take appropriate action when such condition is detected; assist with investigations of suspicious persons, places or things; and assist Certified Police Officers to respond when observing a situation requiring police action and/or request assignment of other Certified Police Officers. 
• Obey lawful orders of superiors; perform appropriate tasks and duties assigned by supervisor or shift. 
• Supervisor; promptly answer radio calls; and promptly respond to assigned calls for police service. 
• Prepare clear, accurate, and complete reports and document activities both verbally and in writing. 
• Review and record necessary and pertinent information at roll call; be properly groomed and maintain equipment and uniform in neat, orderly manner; and inspect assigned vehicle or bicycle for proper equipment and/or damage prior to leaving for patrol. 
• Assist with accident and criminal investigations; protect accident or crime scenes; help aid the injured; help control traffic and/or the public; collect and preserve evidence; observe interviews of witnesses and suspects; help determine the cause of accident; prepare accurate reports and/or diagrams; and observe issuance of citations and arrests. 
• Support Certified Police Officers to: identify, pursue, apprehend, and assist in the prosecution of persons who violate federal, state and local laws, statutes and ordinances; subdue resisting individuals; search arrested persons; administer specialized tests to determine illegal drug or alcohol consumption; seize contraband; transport arrested persons to police facility; make warrant inquiries; fingerprint suspects; and appear and testify in court as a witness or an arresting officer. 
• Assist motorists with disabled vehicles; request emergency assistance when needed; remove debris to eliminate traffic hazards; and push vehicles when necessary. 
• Help evacuate persons from dangerous areas, secure buildings or areas, and assist other University departments or governmental agencies in disaster or emergency situations. 
• Attend and successfully complete assigned continuing education and training programs, and qualify with lethal and non-lethal weapons as required by department procedures and/or needs. 
• Attend and successfully complete Basic Law Enforcement Officers' Training course as prescribed by the Illinois Law Enforcement Officers' Training and Standards Board. 
• Establish rapport and enhance communication with members of the University Community to create a better understanding of University Police functions, purpose, and goals within the community, to determine community needs, and to assist in resolution of community social problems. 

Competencies:

• Properly operate and maintain tools and equipment related to law enforcement required. Working knowledge of Illinois Criminal Statutes, Illinois vehicle code, local ordinances, University rules and regulations, and civil law related to police work required. 
• Learn and correctly apply University Police Department rules, regulations, general orders, policies, practices, and procedures required. 
• Thoroughly knowledgeable of geographic area and boundaries served by the University Police Department required. 
• Effectively deal with a variety of unpleasant circumstances and unusual human conduct associated with and/or arising from emergency situations including, but not limited to, physical trauma, mental and/or physical stress, panic, etc. required. 
• Work independently or as a team member and make sound decisions with minimal direction and under stressful circumstances required. 
• Effectively communicate verbally and in writing required. 
• Complete mathematical calculations involving fractions, decimals, and percentages required. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with public and enforcement officials, general public, and members of the University community required. 
• Run, walk, stand for long periods of time; climb, stoop, and lift and carry equipment and injured or deceased persons or animals required. 
• Strenuous physical exertion is sometimes required in providing services under emergency, adverse, unpleasant, or unusual conditions in all weather conditions, and at all hours of the day or night required. 
• Efficient audio-visual discrimination and perception to make quick and accurate observations including: distant binocular and visual acuity of at least 20/40 with or without corrective lenses, peripheral vision of at least 140 degrees, and the ability to recognize the colors of traffic signals and devices showing standard red, green, and amber required. 
• Hearing sufficient to understand speech and to detect alarms, telephone and other communication devices. Must not have an average hearing loss greater than 40 decibels (dB) at 500 - 2000 Hertz (Hz) with or without a hearing aid required. 
• Mentally and physically react effectively, quickly, calmly, and rationally during times of conflicts and emergencies required. 
• Safely defend self/or others in hostile, combative situations required. 
• Use desktop computer (IBM compatible), pager, two-way radio, firearms, handcuffs and other law enforcement equipment, breathalyzer machine, radar equipment, fingerprint equipment, camera, copy machine, and telephone required. 

Additional Responsibilities

Education, Experience, or Certifications:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college required.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Certified as a full-time Illinois Law Enforcement Officer required.
• Successful completion of the Basic Law Enforcement Officers' Training course as prescribed by the Illinois Law.
• Successful completion of the University of Chicago in-house training required. 
• Pass background investigation, medical examinations, psychological test, drug screens and physical fitness tests required. 
• Valid driver's license that grants reciprocity in the State of Illinois or be eligible to obtain one and do so within 60 days of appointment required and three years of driving experience required.
• First Aid and CPR certifications required. 

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• Exposure to human blood, human blood components, and/or products made from human blood.
• High stress environment.
• On-call responsibilities.
• Operate vehicles/drive motorized equipment.
• Outdoor weather exposure.
• Requires use of personal protective equipment.
• Office environment.
• Bend, crouch, or stoop.
• Lift or carry loads of 50 to 99 lbs.
• Push/pull objects of 100 lbs. or more.
• Perform strenuous physical exertion at times.
• Sit for 4 hours or more.
• Use computers extensively for 4 hours or more.
• Operate a vehicle safely.
• Operate equipment necessary to perform job.
• Ability to run.
• Stand for 4 hours or more.
• Travel to various off-campus locations.
• Travel to various on-campus locations.
• Safely defend self/or others in hostile, combative situations.
• Use Standard Work Station Equipment.
• Use Standard Office Equipment.

Mental Demands:

• Aware of safety hazards and take appropriate precautions.
• Communicate in writing.
• Communicate orally.
• Comprehend technical documents.
• Condense complicated issues to simple summaries that can be understood by a variety of constituents.
• Create and deliver presentations.
• Develop and manage interpersonal relationships.
• Exercise absolute discretion regarding confidential matters.
• Follow written and/or verbal instructions.
• Give directions. 
• Handle sensitive matters with tact and discretion.
• Manage stressful situations. 
• Learn and develop skills.
• Maintain a high level of alertness.
• Pay attention to detail.
• Perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Prioritize work and meet deadlines. 
• React effectively, quickly, calmly, and rationally during conflicts and emergencies.
• Ability to read.
• Train or teach others.
• Work effectively and collegially with little supervision or as member of a team.
• Work with frequent interruptions.
• Comfortable interacting with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Active listening skills. 
• Critical thinking skills. 
• Decision making skills. 
• Interpersonal skills.
• Math skills.
• Negotiation skills.
• De-escalation skills. 
• Organizational skills.
• Planning skills.
• Problem solving skills.
• Quantitative and analytical skills.
• Reasoning skills.
• Time management skills.

​

Pay Rate:

• Wages contingent on collective bargaining agreement.

Required Documents:

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter
• Unofficial College Transcripts
• Evidence of current Illinois Peace Officer certification within the last three years.

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Benefit Eligibility​

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off.

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Pay Range

$43.74

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Union

052 - PB&PA, # 185 Full-Time

Job is Exempt

No

Drug Test Required

Yes

Health Screen Required

Yes

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

Yes

Posting Date

2026-09-24

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.