Police Lieutenant

Police Lieutenant

Performs responsible administrative, supervisory, leadership, and law enforcement duties in the protection of life and property, promotion of public safety, and delivery of professional police services within the City. Provides leadership and direction for a major division or functional area of the Police Department.

Distinguishing Features of the Class

An employee in this class performs management and supervisory responsibilities for a major division or functional area of the Police Department. The Police Lieutenant provides leadership through subordinate supervisors and is responsible for coordinating personnel, operations, resources, and administrative functions within the assigned area.

Responsibilities may include supervision of patrol, investigations, community enhancement, animal control, or other departmental functions; assigning and coordinating work; monitoring performance; providing performance coaching and feedback; ensuring appropriate training and certification; participating in personnel decisions; researching and recommending policies and procedures; conducting or assisting with internal investigations; responding to citizen concerns; representing the Department at community and public functions; participating in operational law enforcement activities when needed; overseeing equipment and resource needs; monitoring assigned budget and expenditures; and assisting with strategic planning and other administrative responsibilities.

The Police Lieutenant serves as a member of the Department's management team and is expected to provide effective leadership, accountability, communication, problem-solving, and operational oversight. Work requires comprehensive knowledge of law enforcement operations and management, substantial independent judgment, initiative, and the ability to make sound decisions involving personnel, operational, administrative, and public safety matters.

Work involves frequent interaction with employees, members of the public, City officials, and representatives of other agencies and requires professionalism, tact, effective communication, conflict management, firmness, and decisiveness.

Employees are subject to the normal hazards associated with law enforcement work, including working indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions and exposure to dangerous persons, loud noises, vehicular hazards, hazardous materials, fumes, oils, gases, and flammable liquids. Employees are also subject to applicable OSHA standards relating to bloodborne pathogens.

Work is performed in accordance with applicable federal and state law, local ordinances, department policies and procedures, and established law enforcement practices. Work is performed under general supervision and is evaluated through observation, discussion, review of reports and other documentation, assessment of operational performance, and accomplishment of assigned objectives.

Essential Duties and Tasks

• Provides leadership, supervision, and direction for personnel assigned to a major division or functional area through subordinate supervisors.
• Assigns, coordinates, and reviews work; establishes priorities; monitors staffing and operational needs; and ensures effective delivery of services.
• Provides performance coaching, feedback, counseling, and evaluation to assigned personnel and subordinate supervisors.
• Participates in personnel decisions, including recommendations concerning promotions, assignments, performance improvement, and disciplinary action.
• Ensures assigned personnel receive required training and maintain required certifications and qualifications.
• Provides guidance and support to subordinate supervisors in addressing personnel, operational, performance, and administrative issues.
• Responds to complex, critical, or unusual law enforcement incidents and provides operational leadership and direction as appropriate.
• Participates in significant police and investigative matters; develops or assists in developing tactical and operational plans; provides direction to officers and supervisors; and ensures appropriate coordination of resources.
• Participates in law enforcement operations, including patrol, investigations, community services, or other departmental activities when needed.
• Coordinates or assists with special events for the City, Department, and community organizations.
• Reviews and issues parade and other permits as authorized and under the direction of the Police Chief.
• Coordinates the assignment of personnel to special events, functions, projects, and other operational needs.
• Performs administrative functions related to law enforcement operations and assigned division responsibilities.
• Oversees equipment and resource needs and identifies operational requirements for assigned personnel and functions.
• Prepares, reviews, and evaluates administrative, operational, activity, and other departmental reports.
• Develops or assists in developing plans for criminal, traffic, special enforcement, and other departmental operations.
• Monitors assigned division budget expenditures and assists with purchasing and resource management.
• Establishes, implements, or supports community engagement and community enhancement initiatives consistent with Department priorities.
• Represents the Department at community meetings, public events, City functions, and other official activities.
• Builds and maintains professional relationships with residents, businesses, community organizations, City officials, and other public safety partners.
• Researches, drafts, reviews, and recommends department policies, procedures, directives, and operational practices related to assigned responsibilities or department-wide operations.
• Serves as a member of the Department's management team and contributes to organizational priorities, strategic planning, policy development, and operational decision-making.
• Provides input during the annual budget development process and assists in identifying resource and funding needs.
• Provides recommendations concerning the purchase of supplies, uniforms, training materials, vehicles, office equipment, firearms, technology, and other departmental resources.
• Responds to and addresses citizen concerns, complaints, and issues involving division or departmental services and activities.
• Conducts or assists with internal investigations as assigned.
• Coordinates with other City departments, law enforcement agencies, public safety partners, and community organizations as necessary to accomplish departmental objectives.
• Performs other administrative, supervisory, operational, and law enforcement duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of applicable federal and state laws, local ordinances, and Police Department policies and procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of modern law enforcement principles, practices, methods, procedures, and equipment.
• Considerable knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, and procedures concerning criminal justice information systems, including DCI requirements, and evidence handling and chain-of-custody requirements.
• Thorough knowledge of effective supervisory and leadership practices, including communication, motivation, coaching, counseling, performance management, accountability, conflict management, and discipline.
• Considerable knowledge of personnel policies, budget development, purchasing procedures, and municipal administrative practices applicable to the position.
• Working knowledge of the application of information technology, computerized systems, and data resources to modern law enforcement operations and administration.
• Working knowledge of applicable laws, court decisions, rules, and guidelines related to recruitment and selection of employees.
• Knowledge of contemporary law enforcement leadership, operational planning, community engagement, and problem-solving practices.
• Skill in developing and implementing operational plans and coordinating personnel and resources.
• Skill in analyzing problems, evaluating options, establishing priorities, and making sound decisions.
• Skill in the safe and proficient use of firearms and other law enforcement equipment.
• Skill in applying appropriate self-defense, de-escalation, communication, and conflict-management techniques.
• Ability to lead through subordinate supervisors and maintain accountability for assigned personnel and operations.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and decisive leadership during routine, rapidly developing, and critical incidents.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to provide effective public presentations and represent the Department in a professional manner.
• Ability to prepare and review clear, concise, accurate, and complete administrative and operational reports.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, City officials, other agencies, community partners, and members of the public.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise appropriate discretion when handling sensitive personnel, investigative, and administrative matters.

Physical Requirements

Must be able to physically perform the essential functions of the position, including standing, walking, hearing, kneeling, reaching, feeling, grasping, pushing, pulling, bending, climbing, crawling, fingering, and performing repetitive motions.

Must be able to perform medium work, exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and up to 10 pounds of force constantly.

Must possess the visual acuity necessary to safely operate a police vehicle; observe and distinguish details and differences involving people, places, objects, and conditions; and prepare, review, and analyze a variety of records, reports, and other documents.

Desirable Education and Experience

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in criminal justice or a related field, supplemented by law enforcement training and considerable supervisory experience in law enforcement; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Special Requirements

Before assignment to sworn duties, employees must possess a valid North Carolina driver's license and an Intermediate Law Enforcement Certificate issued by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission.

Ability to obtain and maintain all certifications required for