Police Chief

Safety/Security Status: Safety & Security Sensitive

SUMMARY Plans, organizes, and directs the efficient operation of the Police Department through supervision and direction of subordinate officers, who maintain law and order, prevent crime, protect life and property, and assure all police services are delivered in a safe, timely, and efficient manner by performing the following duties personally or through subordinate supervisors.


ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Reporting relationships, work assignments, and work schedules may be subject to change in order to meet City needs or operational requirements. Attendance at work and the ability to get along with the public, supervisors, and co-workers are essential elements of this position. Other duties may be assigned.


Consults with the Mayor to develop, implement, and oversee police department operations.


Provide executive leadership and direction for all police department operations and personnel.

Develops, implements, and enforces comprehensive policies, directives, procedures, and operational methods to guide all department personnel.


Selects, makes hiring recommendations, schedules, assigns, reviews, and evaluates a staff of 149+ law enforcement officers, telecommunicators, and clerical support staff.


Advises and assists police officers in non-routine investigations and addressing other police-related issues.

As required, personally participates in solving some of the more difficult problems faced by police officers.


Attends City Council meetings, service and civic club meetings, and other public forums to explain activities and functions of the police department.


Establishes and maintains favorable public relations involving the police department.


Coordinates police department activities with other department heads and the Staff Attorney on all matters that affect the department.


Serves on various boards and commissions regarding public safety to a local and state level include City of Bentonville Traffic Safety and Signage Committee, Arkansas Association of Chiefs of Police committees (as applicable), IACP, etc.


Assists other law enforcement authorities in the search and apprehension of wanted persons.

Directs the proper use, accountability, and maintenance of all department vehicles and equipment.

Coordinates and administers daily police activities.

Coordinates internal investigation of members of department for alleged wrong doing.

Administers disciplinary actions, including suspension or demotion, for violations of departmental rules or demonstrated inefficiency.

Directs activities of personnel engaged in preparing budget proposals, maintaining police records, and recruiting staff.

Approves police budget and negotiates with municipal officials for appropriation of funds.

Commands overall operations during emergencies such as fires and riots.

Prepares requests for government agencies to obtain funds for special operations or for purchasing equipment for department.

Prepares and manages the police department annual operating budget.

Develops and implements strategic plans for the future growth of the police department.

Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, as well as accreditation standards such as CALEA.

Maintain and manage all documentation required for CALEA accreditation, including standards related to communications, dispatch, and information systems.

Develops and maintains knowledge of the principals and practices of a modern police administration.

Develops and maintains knowledge of standards by which the quality of police services is measured.

Develops and maintains the principals and methods of efficient organization, management, and supervision of department programs, policies, and personnel.

Demonstrates the ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of all law enforcement personnel.

Direct emergency operations using the Incident Command System (ICS), ensuring clear communication, efficient resource management, and effective multi-agency coordination.

Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.

Performs other duties as prescribed by the Mayor, City Council, and the citizens.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES Manages four Police Captains who supervise a total of 100+ employees in the Patrol, Criminal Investigation, Operations, and Administrative divisions. Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of this unit. Also directly supervises one non-supervisory employee. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year College or University and fifteen (15) years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

REASONING ABILITY Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Sworn Police Officer in the State of Arkansas
• Senior Law Enforcement Certification, State of Arkansas

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here 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 functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; and explosives. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.