Deputy Chief of Police

SALARY DETAILS

$161,810.00 - $207,775.00 Yearly

APPLICATION FILING DATES

June 17, 2025 

• Open until hiring needs are met

INFORMATION ABOUT LAUSD

We are LAUSD. We are at the forefront of innovation in public education, focused on a clear and inspiring vision of the future for all of our students as they venture forward on their journey as lifelong learners. Here, you will have the opportunity to exercise your potential in a role supporting the business of education. Our work directly contributes toward the goal of ensuring that our students graduate ready for the world – ready to thrive in college, career and life. LAUSD is the second largest school district in the nation with an enrollment of nearly 575,000 students. We serve an area totaling 710 square miles, with over 1,190 schools and educational centers, and we employ over 74,000 individuals, making us one of the largest employers in our city.

LAUSD EMPLOYEES: Please be advised that all LAUSD employees must sign in to the GlobalProtect Virtual Private Network (VPN) in order to submit an application from an external network outside of an LAUSD location. For assistance with installing the GlobalProtect Virtual Private Network, please contact Information Technology Services at (213) 443-1300 or (213) 241-5200 or via their page (https://www.lausd.org/helpdesk).

ABOUT THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF POLICE

The Los Angeles School Police Department seeks a visionary and accomplished law enforcement leader to serve as Deputy Chief of Police. The ideal candidate will be a dedicated professional with extensive experience in law enforcement, a strong commitment to school-based policing, and a demonstrated passion for public safety, student well-being, and community engagement. As second in command, this individual will play a critical leadership role in shaping and implementing department-wide strategies that not only ensure the safety and security of the Los Angeles Unified School District but also foster trust and positive relationships among students, staff, families, and the broader community.
 
The ideal candidate will bring:

• Proven Leadership Experience:
  A distinguished record of progressive responsibility in law enforcement, with substantial leadership experience overseeing major operations, specialized units, or bureaus within a policing organization.
• Educational Credentials:
  A bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, or a related field; a master's degree is strongly preferred.
• School-Based Policing Expertise:
  In-depth knowledge of crime prevention, campus safety protocols, and the unique challenges and opportunities of a school-centered policing model.
• Legal and Regulatory Acumen:
  Comprehensive understanding of California Penal, Welfare & Institutions, and Education Codes, with an ability to apply these statutes effectively to school safety matters.
• Strategic Vision & Crisis Management Skills:
  Exceptional judgment and decision-making abilities, with the capacity to develop forward-thinking policies, lead emergency responses, and guide complex investigations with professionalism and integrity.
• Community-Centered Approach:
  A genuine commitment to building lasting partnerships with diverse community stakeholders, parents, educators, and students to promote shared safety goals and mutual respect.
   

Key Competencies:

• Lead & Inspire:
  Provide clear direction, motivate teams, and uphold the highest ethical standards in policing.
• Analyze & Innovate:
  Assess operational effectiveness, recommend improvements, and drive modernization efforts in departmental procedures and training.
• Communicate & Collaborate:
  Engage effectively with a wide array of audiences—including city leaders, district administrators, and community organizations—to ensure transparency and responsiveness.
• Problem-Solve & Adapt:
  Apply creative, community-informed solutions to emerging challenges while maintaining operational readiness and resilience.
• Ensure Accountability:
  Oversee internal reviews, disciplinary processes, and workplace conflict resolution with fairness, discretion, and consistency.
   
  The Deputy Chief of Police must be an inspirational leader—strategic, adaptable, and dedicated to safeguarding the educational environment for all students and staff within the Los Angeles Unified School District. This role demands sound judgment, cultural competence, and an unwavering commitment to public service, trust-building, and the principles of proactive, student-focused policing.

JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

The Deputy Chief of Police plans, organizes, and directs the activities of a bureau or a specialized assignment of the School Police Department involved in school operations, patrol, investigations, or administrative services. 

The typical duties for this position include:

• Cultivating community connections with stakeholders; organizing, planning, and leading community policing events and forums; building sustained partnerships with the public and government entities; and providing meaningful dialogue and community-informed communications aimed at producing productive and durable collaborations. 
• Developing long-range planning goals for the department, recommending changes in policies, procedures, and regulations, and overseeing department personnel activities, training, and assignment of sworn personnel.
• Developing and maintaining school police department procedures and methods for protecting District property and personnel related to school operations, patrol, investigations, and support services.
• Evaluating and analyzing operational efficiencies and effectiveness and making appropriate recommendations.
• Developing and conducting in-service training and staff development programs for department personnel, including the coordination of training at California Peace Officer Standards and Training (CA P.O.S.T.) approved academies.
• Training new Police Officers, Senior Police Officers, Police Detectives, Sergeants, and Lieutenants.
• Overseeing projects, conducting audits, preparing reports and correspondence, supervising, and reviewing the work of subordinate staff. 
• Acting as a liaison with local and national law enforcement agencies and organizations dealing with school safety, modern law enforcement management, and mutual aid situations.
• Participating in a variety of meetings with the Superintendent of Schools, Board of Education committees, District personnel, school faculty, and local community members and groups, including law enforcement agencies, to respond to the policing needs of the District and to exchange information relating to law enforcement methodology.
• Preparing budget requests and participating in District meetings concerning financial issues.
• Coordinating highly sensitive investigations and the dissemination of confidential information.
• Conducting surveys and studies to determine District law-enforcement needs and recommending specific actions to prevent antisocial or illegal activities.
• Responding to the scene of major incidents or emergency situations and assuming command and control of the situation and personnel.
• Participating in the School Police Department’s collective bargaining negotiations to develop formalized collective bargaining agreements.
• Overseeing projects and administrative matters.
• Acting for the Chief of Police in the event of absence.
• Overseeing the internal investigation of alleged employee misconduct, including fact-finding, analysis, and recommendations regarding disciplinary action.
• Representing the department in disciplinary and grievance proceedings. 

Please Note: This is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities of this position. For a comprehensive list of duties performed, please refer to the class description via our website: https://bit.ly/4jPeleH

BENEFITS

Insurance: District-paid premiums for your choice of several medical, dental, and vision for you and your dependents; and life insurance plans.

Retirement: Membership in the California Public Employee Retirement System (CalPERS).

Vacation: 24 days each year.

Paid Holidays: Up to 13 days.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for up to two years of the required education, provided that graduation from high school or evidence of equivalent educational proficiency is met.

EXPERIENCE:

Two years of experience as a Lieutenant with the District or four years of sworn officer experience in a management position in a law enforcement agency within the last five years.

SPECIAL:

1. Possession of a Management California Peace Officer Standards and Training (CA P.O.S.T.) Certificate or its equivalent.
2. A valid driver’s license to legally operate a motor vehicle in the State of California and the use of a motor vehicle.
3. An appointee must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
4. The ability to speak and understand Spanish is preferable.
5. Qualify biannually with departmentally approved firearms at a designated police range. 

SPECIAL NOTES:

1. Management class, exempt from bargaining units.
2. An employee in this class may be subject to the reporting requirements of the District’s Conflict of Interest Code.
3. Appointment is subject to fingerprinting, a review of criminal record, and a comprehensive background investigation.
4. Subject to rotation in assignment, work shift, and location.
5. Subject to 24-hour call that may include weekends. 

SPECIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Good visual field and depth, color, and hue perception.
• Hear normal voice-range frequencies.
• Agility, strength, and stamina to make apprehensions and to protect self from attack 

PLEASE NOTE: All entrance requirements must be met by the end of the filing period in order to move forward with the assessment process. To verify the education requirement, transcripts, diplomas, and/or certifications must be presented at the time applications are screened. As such, please be sure to upload it as an attachment to your candidate profile. Candidates who have completed college or university coursework at an institution in a country other than the United States must obtain a complete evaluation of foreign transcripts and degrees. Please be sure to request a DETAILED report. For a list of approved evaluation organizations, visit: https://www.lausd.org/Page/7876

EMPLOYMENT SELECTION PROCESS

We anticipate receiving a number of well-qualified applicants for this position; therefore, there will be a competitive process. The hiring departments have requested that we proceed with the selection process in an expeditious and timely manner. To honor this request, we will be adhering to a preplanned employment assessment schedule.

The assessment process for this position TENTATIVELY to consist of a qualifying (pass/fail) Training and Experience (T&E), followed by a Technical Writing Project and a Technical Interview.

Application materials (your candidate profile, resume, and supplemental questionnaire) will be evaluated in relation to the background, experience, and competencies identified for successful performance in this job. For this reason, it is highly recommended that your application materials clearly show all of your relevant background and specialized skills, knowledge, and abilities. Once you have logged into our application system, attach and submit your resume. Please ensure that your resume clearly indicates the extent of your professional experience and expertise as it relates to this position by describing in detail your experience, education, and training that most closely relate to the Deputy Chief of Police.

PLEASE NOTE:

• The testing may be conducted remotely and/or in person, and all applicants will be required to submit a Candidate Confidentiality Form prior to testing. Failure to submit these forms before the given deadline will result in the withdrawal of your application from the selection process.
• Candidates who receive a failing score on any test module will NOT be eligible to move forward in the selection process. 
• At the time of the test administration, you will be REQUIRED to present an unexpired government picture identification.
• If you are unable to attend the scheduled test date, rescheduling is NOT guaranteed.

If you have questions regarding the employment selection process, please contact Kelly Anne Van Geffen at kelly.vangeffen@lausd.net.

APPLICATION PROCESS

IMPORTANT NOTE: Once you submit your application, you should receive an email message confirming that you successfully submitted your application. If you DO NOT receive this message on the same day you apply, it is likely that you did not submit your application.

DO YOU NEED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WITH THE ON-LINE APPLICATION?

Email us at helpmeapply@lausd.net.

To find out whether the application deadline has been extended, visit the website at: https://careers.lausd.org/pc. The Los Angeles Unified School District intends that all qualified persons shall have equal opportunities for employment and promotion. Reasonable accommodations in completing an application and testing are available to individuals with disabilities. Please call (213) 241-3455 for more information.

Please be sure to monitor your spam/junk folder so that important information, instructions, and deadlines regarding your application are not missed. Please also be sure to include correspondence from the lausd.net AND successfactors.com domains as approved senders to your email.

ADDITIONAL POSTING INFORMATION

The Los Angeles Unified School District is committed to providing a working and learning environment free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation, abusive conduct, or bullying. The District prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation, abusive conduct or bullying based on actual or perceived race or ethnicity, gender/sex (including gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding/lactation status and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, religion, color, national origin (including language use restrictions and possession of a driver’s license issued under Vehicle Code), ancestry, immigration status, physical or mental disability (including clinical depression and bipolar disorder, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, epilepsy, seizure disorder, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and heart disease), medical condition (cancer related and genetic characteristics), military and veteran status, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age (40 and above), genetic information, political belief or affiliation (unless union related), a person's association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law, ordinance, or regulation in any program or activity it conducts or to which it provides significant assistance. For inquiries or complaints contact our Equal Opportunity Section, (213) 241-7685.

Selection and promotion are based on a competitive employment assessment process. Candidates who pass all parts of the assessment process are placed on a hiring (eligibility) list based on their assessment score. Hiring departments may make job offers to candidates on the top three ranks of the hiring list. Eligibility typically lasts for 12 months. The hiring list resulting from this assessment process may be used to fill open positions in related job classifications.

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