Description

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POSITION SUMMARY  

The Police Chief is responsible for overseeing the planning, directing, coordinating, staffing, and organizing the programs, projects, activities of the police department. Moreover, this position develops, plans, and directs the operation of the department and is responsible for preserving public peace, protecting lives, property and the rights of the public, building positive community relations, enforcing statutory laws and municipal ordinances. 

 This position requires a strong and visionary leader who is team-oriented, possesses exceptional communication skills, and utilizes a management style that supports mutual trust and openness among all levels of the Department’s operations. 

 ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

•  Directs the activities of the Police Department, which includes planning, coordinating, administering, and evaluating programs, projects, processes, procedures, systems, standards, and/or service offerings; ensures compliance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, codes, and standards.
•  Supervises staff, which includes prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; ensuring staff is trained; ensuring employees follow policies and procedures; maintaining a healthy and safe working environment; and, making hiring, termination, and disciplinary decisions or recommendations.
• Directs and manages the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies and priorities; explains, justifies and defends department programs, policies and activities.
• Establishes appropriate service and staffing levels; monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocates resources accordingly.
• Assesses and monitors the quality, responsiveness, efficiency and effectiveness of assigned programs, service delivery methods and procedures; and works with employees on the continuous improvement of city services.
• Reviews all significant reports, plans, and documents drafted by staff members; directs the writing of new rules and regulations and proposals for new programs or projects. 
• Responds to escalated citizen complaints and follows-up on issues to ensure responses are communicated and proper action is taken. 
• Assesses and monitors staff workload, administrative and support systems and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; directs and implements changes; serves as project leader of assigned programs and projects; tracks and monitors progress on assigned projects.
• Leads the development and administration of the department budget; forecasts funding needs for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; approves expenditures; implements budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.
• Studies and performs research on Police field activities and administrative matters.
• Represents the Police Department to other departments, elected officials and outside agencies; serves on a variety of boards, commissions and committees, as required; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Provides for the selection, training, professional development and work evaluation of department staff; authorizes discipline as required; provides policy guidance and interpretation to staff; ensures that laws, ordinances and policies are consistently enforced.
• Plans, organizes, administers, reviews and evaluates the work of sworn and non-sworn staff through subordinate levels of supervision.
• Maintains discipline; confers with officers, supervisors, and mid-managers regarding departmental working relationships. 
• Maintains effective public relations in the field and in the office, including public gatherings; acts as public liaison as assigned.
• Acts as the department's technology advisor and systems administrator.
• Adheres to assigned work schedules as outlined in the department and City attendance policies and procedures; ensures all behaviors comply with the City’s personnel rules and regulations.
• Subject to after-hours call out for emergency situations.
• Must be able to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Must arrive at work on time and must maintain a regular and reliable level of attendance.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

 Knowledge of: 

•         Public administration and governmental operations.
•         Public relations principals, regarding managing change and sensitive topics.
•         Personnel administration and police science, and the principles of community-oriented policing and problem solving.
•         Traffic control, criminal law with particular reference to apprehension, arrest, and custody of person accused of                    misdemeanor and felonies.      
•         Scientific investigation and identification techniques.
•         Laws, ordinances and regulations affecting the work of the department.
•         Importance of Open Information Requests and fulfilling those requests in a timely manner.
•         Procurement of product and services.
•         Warrant collections. 
•         Crisis management and able to direct and lead in crisis situations.
•         Emergency operations and understanding of the NIMS process.
•         Working with the media through interviewing, press releases, preparing statements and such.

 Skilled in: 

•         Using highly technical computer applications.
•         Analyzing and developing policies and procedures.
•         Identifying complex problems and solutions.
•         Projecting consequences of proposed actions.
•         Implementing recommendations in support of goals.
•         Mediating and resolving conflict.
•         Reading, interpreting, applying, and explaining laws, codes, ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

 Ability to:

•         Analyzing reports and statistics concerning accidents, crimes, and juvenile delinquency.
•         Prepare and maintain comprehensive reports and budgets.
•         Create, present to the City Manager and City Council and implement an annual departmental budget.
•         Create and maintain a vehicle and equipment replacement plan.
•         Establish and maintain effective working relationships with city officials, state and local authorities, and the general            public.
•         Plan, train, and supervise the work of police and non-sworn personnel. 
•         Apply rules of evidence pertaining to search and seizure and the preservation and presentation of evidence in                    criminal cases.
•         Apply the principles and practices of modern police training, supervision, and administration.
•         Prepare clear, complete, accurate, concise and logical written reports and effectively maintain such records.
•         Instill a culture of exemplary customer service.
•         Maintain the confidentiality of sensitive and confidential information.
•         Maintain a firearms qualification and other required training.  
•  

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AND SAFETY HAZARDS

Primarily in an indoor environment with the ability to operate outdoors when needed. May be exposed to extreme heat and cold during summer and winter months; exposure to emotionally stressful, hostile, dangerous, emergency situations and/or condition.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

 Standard office equipment including computers/keyboards multi-line telephone, fax machine, copier, shredder, scanner, printer, police radios, mobile data terminals, audio/video recorders, firearms, batons, electroshock weapons, handcuffs and other police related equipment, Motor vehicles, etc.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, political science, public administration, business administration, or related field with formal training in any of the following: law enforcement methods and practices, scientific methods of crime prevention and detection.

Must have extensive experience in law enforcement work involving progressive responsibility with a minimum of ten (10) years’ experience and at least two (2) years’ in a management leadership role; 

 Experience in police supervision/management or equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities 

 Must possess a master certification from the TCOLE (Texas Commission on Law Enforcement) or a state equivalent. 

LEMIT certification preferred.

Must pass a pre-employment drug screen, criminal background check, and Motor Vehicle Report check. Additionally, a comprehensive credit report will be requested to be provided if selected for the position. 

 A Valid Class C Texas motor vehicle driver license and the ability to maintain a satisfactory driving record.

 OTHER REQUIREMENTS

 Legal qualification, under the laws of the United States of America and the State of Texas, to possess firearms and ammunition.

 Must pass a psychological examination and be declared in writing (by a licensed psychologist) to be in satisfactory   psychological and emotional health for licensing as a peace officer.

 Must be able to respond from residence to the police station within a reasonable amount of time;  45 minutes is preferred, and if response time is within 30 minutes, a take-home car may be available.

 Must pass a pre-employment drug screen, criminal background check, MVR check.