Senior Police Investigator

About this role

American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University

Department:

University Safety and Security Services

Time Type: Full time Job Type: Regular FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Work Modality:

Full On Campus Presence Union:

Excluded

Job Description:

Summary:

Under the direct supervision of the Assistant Vice President (AVP) of University Police Services, Emergency Management, and Transportation Programs, the Senior Police Investigator serves as the principal investigative resource for the American University Police Department (AUPD). This position is responsible for leading complex criminal, administrative, and internal investigations, overseeing threat assessments, and ensuring full compliance with Clery Act and related federal regulations.

The Senior Investigator develops and implements advanced investigative strategies, coordinates multi-agency investigative efforts, and provides senior-level consultation to AUPD leadership on crime trends, security risks, and policy development. This position requires specialized expertise in crime analysis, intelligence gathering, and risk mitigation, supporting the university’s commitment to campus safety and compliance.

The incumbent also plays a critical leadership role in training, mentoring, and advising police personnel on investigative best practices and emerging security threats.

Essential Functions:

1.) Complex Investigations & Leadership • Leads high-level and sensitive investigations involving criminal activity, student misconduct, employee misconduct, fraud, and external threats impacting American University.

• Develops and implements advanced investigative strategies, including surveillance, intelligence gathering, forensic analysis, and behavioral threat assessments.

• Conducts comprehensive interviews of victims, suspects, and witnesses using advanced interrogation and rapport-building techniques.

• Obtains and executes arrest warrants, subpoenas, search warrants, and court orders, working closely with prosecutors and legal entities.

• Supervises, trains, and provides technical guidance to junior investigators and AUPD officers engaged in investigative duties.

• Acts as the lead investigator in critical incidents, including sexual assaults, violent crimes, and major administrative investigations affecting university personnel.

2.) Advanced Threat Assessments & Risk Mitigation • Conducts in-depth assessments of internal and external threats to American University students, faculty, staff, and property.

• Provides strategic threat intelligence to AUPD and university leadership, recommending risk mitigation strategies and emergency response protocols.

• Serves as liaison to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, ensuring coordinated response to potential threats.

• Utilizes advanced threat analysis tools, social media monitoring, and investigative databases to assess risk indicators and prevent incidents.

• Plays a critical role in emergency management planning, assisting with active threat response strategies.          

3.) Clery Act, HEOA, & Regulatory Compliance Leadership • Oversees the university’s compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and related regulations.

• Supervises the preparation, publication, and distribution of the Annual Security Report and submission of annual crime statistics to the U.S. Department of Education.

• Leads campus-wide training initiatives to ensure compliance with the Clery Act, Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

• Advises university leadership on regulatory changes affecting security and investigative policies.

• Directs the issuance of timely warnings, emergency notifications, and crime alerts to ensure the safety of the AU community.      

4.) Crime Analysis & Intelligence Integration • Leads crime trend analysis and predictive policing strategies, leveraging data to drive resource deployment.

• Oversee crime mapping, statistical reporting, and intelligence-sharing efforts between AUPD and external law enforcement agencies.

• Implements and manages advanced investigative technologies, such as AI-driven crime pattern recognition and digital forensics tools.

• Provides data-driven recommendations to senior leadership, ensuring a proactive approach to campus security.          

5.) Investigative Liaison & External Partnerships • Represents AUPD in high-level interagency investigations and joint task forces with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

• Coordinates intelligence-sharing and investigative collaborations related to terrorism, cyber threats, human trafficking, and organized crime.

• Serves as the primary liaison for law enforcement briefings, interdepartmental intelligence meetings, and external audits of investigative operations.

              6.) Senior-Level Reporting & Policy Development • Develops and enforces university-wide investigative policies and best practices, ensuring alignment with national law enforcement standards.

• Prepares and delivers detailed investigative briefings for university leadership, legal counsel, and oversight committees.

• Advises on policy improvements related to investigative protocols, compliance, and security enhancements.

              7.) Training & Professional Development • Develops and leads training programs for AUPD officers and campus security authorities on investigative techniques, threat assessments, and compliance requirements.

• Mentors’ junior investigators, fostering a culture of continuous professional development and leadership.

• Identifies and implements cutting-edge investigative methodologies, ensuring AUPD remains at the forefront of campus law enforcement.

Similar jobs

• Security Investigator — Hcmportal · RICHMOND (CARMD), United States
• Security Investigator — SeaWorld · Sesame Place Philadelphia
• Senior Investigation Analyst — Polymarket · Remote
• Investigator — Jackson County · Kansas City, MO
• Senior Investigative Analyst — RELX · Washington DC | Home based-Iowa | Home based-Kansas
• Senior Investigative Analyst — Ardentmc · Remote
• Senior Investigative Analyst — LexisNexis® Risk Solutions · Washington DC | Home based-Iowa | Home based-Kansas
• Senior Inspector — STV · Hartford, Connecticut