Police Support Services Manager

CITY OF ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT

Shape the systems, services, and public communication that support a modern police department. The Position The City of Albany is seeking a strategic and collaborative leader to manage critical Police Department support services, advance operational excellence, and serve as the department's Public Information Officer. Under general direction from the Police Chief or designee, the Police Support Services Manager plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates assigned non-sworn support services and specialized programs. Depending on departmental needs, responsibilities may include public safety communications, police records, property and evidence, crime analysis and statistical reporting, law-enforcement technology systems, and related administrative programs. As a member of the Police Department management team, the manager will help establish department-wide priorities; lead policy, budget, compliance, technology, staffing, and service-delivery improvements; and coordinate complex work across City departments and external partners. The position also serves as the department's Public Information Officer, providing timely, accurate, and legally appropriate information during routine operations, emergencies, and critical incidents. The Ideal Candidate The City is looking for an accomplished public safety professional who: Can lead multiple legally regulated support-service functions in a 24-hour public safety environment. Brings a strong record of developing employees, building accountable teams, and navigating complex personnel matters with sound judgment. Thinks strategically and translates laws, data, operational needs, and emerging technology into clear recommendations and sustainable improvements. Communicates with credibility and composure as a department spokesperson, including during emergencies and sensitive incidents. Builds effective working relationships with command staff, employees, labor representatives, courts, partner agencies, vendors, community members, and the media. Approaches sensitive and confidential matters with integrity, discretion, and a commitment to public service. Plan, organize, manage, and evaluate assigned Police Department support services; establish work plans, staffing plans, priorities, service standards, and performance measures. Participate on the Police Department management team and help develop and implement departmental goals, policies, procedures, general orders, and strategic priorities. Select, supervise, train, coach, develop, and evaluate assigned employees; address performance and conduct matters consistent with City policy and labor requirements. Manage assigned communications, records, property and evidence, crime analysis, statistical reporting, and public safety technology functions. Evaluate operational trends, risks, service gaps, and performance information; prepare reports, dashboards, policies, presentations, and recommendations for department and City decision-making. Coordinate public safety technology projects with the City's information technology function, including CAD/RMS, radio systems, digital evidence platforms, cameras, databases, access systems, and related applications. Participate in budget development and administration; forecast operational needs; monitor expenditures; and support procurement, contracts, vendors, grants, and implementation efforts. Ensure compliance with applicable laws and standards governing criminal justice information, CLETS, POST, confidentiality, records, evidence, public records, courts, and dispatch operations. Coordinate audits, inspections, compliance reviews, and corrective action plans. Serve as the Police Department's Public Information Officer; prepare news releases, advisories, talking points, website and social media content; respond to media inquiries; coordinate interviews and press briefings; and serve as a spokesperson during routine and critical incidents. Provide complex staff support to the Police Chief or designee and command staff, and represent the department before City bodies, public agencies, community groups, and professional organizations. Respond to complex or sensitive inquiries and support emergency or critical-incident operations, including outside normal working hours when required. Any combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the qualifications is: Education An Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree, or equivalent, from an accredited college or university, with major coursework in criminal justice, public administration, business administration, emergency management, information technology, communications, or a closely related field. A bachelor's degree in a related field is desirable. Experience Five years of increasingly responsible civilian administrative or operational experience in a law-enforcement or public safety agency, including at least two years of supervisory or management responsibility in a law-enforcement or public safety agency. Highly Desirable Experience Direct experience in public safety communications, police records, property and evidence, crime analysis, public safety technology, public information or media relations, or another closely related police support-service function. Pre-Employment Requirements The selected candidate must successfully complete a Police Department background investigation and any additional pre-employment assessments required by the City, which may include a polygraph examination, psychological evaluation, medical examination, and drug and alcohol screening. The incumbent must maintain eligibility to access confidential law-enforcement information and criminal justice systems. #J-18808-Ljbffr Nigel Wright Consultancy Ltd (UK)