For most college students, campus police may be something they rarely think about. Hopefully they never need the help of an officer, but it's a relief to see them around campus and know that everything is safe.
At Liberty University, however, protecting students, faculty, staff, and visitors is the around-the-clock responsibility of a full-service law enforcement agency built around a simple mission: “Protecting Through Service.”
The Liberty University Police Department, or LUPD, operates as part of the university’s Office of Security & Public Safety in Lynchburg, Virginia. The department includes sworn police officers, armed security officers, and civilian personnel who work together to protect Liberty’s sprawling campus community.
LUPD officers are not simply campus security guards. The department operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and its Virginia-certified police officers possess comprehensive arrest powers and meet the same state training requirements as other law enforcement officers in the Commonwealth. Officers respond to calls for service, investigate criminal activity, conduct traffic enforcement, make arrests, serve warrants, provide security for major events, and coordinate with other local, state, and federal public safety agencies when necessary.
The department also maintains specialized capabilities and divisions ranging from road patrol and investigations to K-9 operations, security services, training, intelligence, parking enforcement, and administrative support.
That commitment to professional law enforcement was formally recognized in November 2025, when LUPD earned accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, commonly known as CALEA. The accreditation process requires agencies to demonstrate compliance with rigorous professional standards governing policies, administration, operations, and support services. Liberty has said the distinction places its law enforcement and emergency management organizations among the top 5 percent of university public safety organizations nationwide.
Leading the department is Chief Gerald Irwin, who joined LUPD in 2023 and was appointed chief in 2025. Irwin brought decades of law enforcement experience to Liberty, having served throughout his career as a patrol officer, SWAT member, detective, and commander of specialized VICE, intelligence, and narcotics units. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the Senior Management Institute for Police.
But the department’s mission goes beyond enforcing the law.
LUPD describes its work as being grounded in three pillars: Character, Competency, and Culture. Its core values include professionalism, integrity, respect, accountability, loyalty, courage, teamwork, and Christlike service.
That final value is particularly important at Liberty. The department’s stated objective is not only to prevent and respond to crime and critical incidents, but to serve the university community in a manner consistent with Liberty’s Christian mission.
For law enforcement professionals who share those values, LUPD is also looking to grow its ranks.
The department is currently recruiting both police officers and armed security officers. Certified law enforcement officers can pursue sworn positions with LUPD, while qualified out-of-state officers may be eligible for a modified Option 5 Academy to obtain the necessary Virginia certification.
For candidates who are interested in law enforcement but have not yet become certified police officers, LUPD’s Security Services program offers another path. Armed security officers receive required training and certifications while serving the Liberty community, with opportunities for advancement into sworn law enforcement through the Central Virginia Criminal Justice Academy.
Current Liberty listings include Police Officer and Security Services Officer positions.
Applicants generally must be U.S. citizens, at least 21 years old, possess a high school diploma or GED, and meet the physical, background, and certification requirements associated with their position.
Liberty also offers benefits that could make LUPD particularly attractive to officers looking for a long-term career. Those include salary based on experience, healthcare and life insurance options, a 403(b) retirement plan, paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, advanced training opportunities, and a 100 percent tuition discount for employees and their dependents for most Liberty University degree programs.
For experienced officers looking for a new agency, or prospective officers searching for a way to begin a career in public safety, LUPD offers an opportunity to protect a major university community while serving alongside professionals committed to faith, service, and the law enforcement profession.
Those interested in learning more or applying can visit the Liberty University Police Department’s “Join LUPD” page and review the department’s current openings.
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