CHIEF OF POLICE

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under general administrative direction, plans, directs, manages, and oversees the activities and operations of the Police Department including law enforcement, crime prevention, and administrative support services and activities; coordinates assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies; and provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to a Deputy City Manager and the City Manager.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Assumes full management responsibility for all department services and activities including preserving order, protecting life and property, and enforcing laws and municipal ordinances.
• Manages the development and implementation of Departmental goals, objectives, and priorities for each assigned service area; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Establishes, within City policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocates resources accordingly.
• Assesses and monitors work load, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; directs and implements changes.
• Plans, directs, and coordinates, through subordinate level staff, the Police Department’s work plan; assigns projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; oversees sensitive investigations and the gathering of intelligence information; reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures; meets with key staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Responds to major incidents reported to the Police Department and ensures that the Incident Commander is following Incident Command System/Standardized Emergency Management System (ICS/SEMS) protocol; assumes role as Incident Commander or other role as needed for the situation.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; ensures training records are maintained on all personnel; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Oversees and participates in the development and administration of the department budget; approves the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; approves expenditures and implements budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.
• Oversees and controls the purchasing, maintenance, and inventory of Police Department equipment and property including communication equipment, vehicles, and related equipment, computer equipment and safety equipment.
• Represents the Police Department to other departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; coordinates assigned activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations; participates with other department heads on City projects, special events, programs, and committees as assigned by the Deputy City Manager and City Manager.
• Meets with various officials, citizens, members of the public, and representatives of the news media; gives speeches and presentations to local service clubs and organizations to further the public relations of the Police Department; responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints; explains, justifies, and defends department programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolve sensitive and controversial issues.
• Participates on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; attends local, regional, and state conferences on law enforcement; obtains information and cooperation on law enforcement issues; establishes and maintains cooperative working relationship with County, area, and State law enforcement officials and with other public officials.
• Confers with attorneys concerning the prosecution of criminal complaints, civil litigation, and/or disciplinary issues.
• Provides staff assistance to a Deputy City Manager and the City Manager; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; reviews and recommends modification of codes, regulations and ordinances; actively participates in Emergency Services Planning.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of law enforcement.
• Performs related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services and activities of a comprehensive municipal law enforcement program.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Law enforcement theory, principles, and practices and their application to a wide variety of services and programs.
• Methods and techniques used in providing the full range of law enforcement and crime prevention services and activities including investigation and identification, patrol, traffic control, crime prevention, records management, and care and custody of persons and property.
• Use of firearms and other modern police equipment.
• Methods and techniques of public relations.
• Recent court decisions and how they affect department operations.
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
• Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations.

Ability to:

• Manage and direct a comprehensive law enforcement program.
• Develop and administer departmental goals, objectives, policies, and procedures.
• Analyze and assess programs, policies, and operational needs and make appropriate adjustments.
• Identify and respond to sensitive community and organizational issues, concerns, and needs.
• Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of lower level staff.
• Delegate authority and responsibility.
• Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports.
• Prepare and administer large and complex budgets.
• Discharge firearms in a safe and effective manner.
• Interpret, apply, and make decisions in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, customers, and the general public.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in criminal justice, police science, business administration, public administration, or a related field. A Master’s degree is highly desirable.

Experience: Ten years of increasingly responsible law enforcement experience including three years of management and administrative responsibility at the level of Police Captain or above.

License or Certificate - Possession of a P.O.S.T. Management Certificate. Possession of an appropriate, valid driver’s license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Standard office setting. CONTINUOUS working indoors, dust from paperwork. Work schedule is 9/80 with alternating Fridays off in a biweekly period. Work environment is both formal and informal, team oriented, having variable tasks, pace, and pressure. Work is performed indoors in office and in meeting rooms.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in an office setting and operate office equipment. CONTINUOUS sitting and upward and downward flexion of neck; fine finger dexterity; light to moderate finger pressure to manipulate keyboard, equipment controls, and office equipment; pinch grasp to manipulate writing utensils. FREQUENT side-to-side turning of neck, walking, standing, bending, stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting at waist; moderate wrist torque to twist equipment knobs and dials; lifting objects weighing up to 20 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 yards. OCCASIONAL squatting, kneeling, and reaching above and at shoulder height; moderate grasp to manipulate reference books and manuals; lifting objects weighing 20-35 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 feet.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents and to operate equipment.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Date: April 2003
Johnson & Associates