Police Sergeant

The Police Sergeant position with the Town of Truckee offers an opportunity to serve and protect one of California’s most vibrant mountain communities. Located in the Sierra Nevada near Lake Tahoe, Truckee is known for its strong community values, year-round tourism, and active outdoor lifestyle. Given Truckee’s seasonal population fluctuations and winter weather conditions, officers must demonstrate adaptability, sound judgment, and the ability to operate effectively in diverse and sometimes challenging environments. This position offers competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a close-knit mountain community.

Under direction, plans, schedules, assigns, reviews, and supervises the work of sworn officers and non-sworn staff on an assigned unit within the Police Department; performs the full range of field and office work in connection with patrol and operations, traffic, investigations, and related law enforcement activities including responding to and/or supervising responses to calls; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direction from a Police Lieutenant. Exercises direct supervision over sworn and non-sworn staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is the full supervisory-level class in the sworn officer series that exercises independent judgment on diverse and specialized police activities with accountability and ongoing decision‑making responsibilities associated with the work. Incumbents are responsible for planning, organizing, supervising, reviewing, and evaluating the work of staff in an assigned unit. Performance of the work requires the use of independence, initiative, and discretion within established guidelines. This class is distinguished from the Police Lieutenant in that the latter has management responsibilities for assigned programs or division(s) in the Police Department. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Basic principles and practices of budget development and administration.
• Functions and services of a contemporary community-based full-service municipal police department.
• Law enforcement principles, practices, and techniques related to patrol, traffic enforcement, crime scene control and investigation, protection of life and property, and pursuit, apprehension, and transport of suspects.
• Modern investigative methods including interviewing and interrogation techniques.
• Town and County geography, maps, streets, landmarks, and driving directions.
• Safety practices, safe use, proper care, and operational characteristics of vehicles and equipment used in law enforcement.
• Methods and techniques of preparing and reviewing police reports, court cases, and related documentation.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, procedures, and court decisions relevant to police work.
• Recent and on‑going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to the operations of the assigned programs.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Techniques for effectively representing the Town in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and Town staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs related to work performed.

Ability to:

• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
• Assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Supervise and perform law enforcement duties to ensure the protection and safety of life and property.
• Demonstrate the highest level of integrity, fairness, and candor in a manner that results in an organizational reputation that people can trust and rely upon the employees of the Truckee Police Department; implement an organizational philosophy with an emphasis on community-based services and enforcement efforts.
• Work with a diverse community and implement community-based policing and problem-solving consistent with the stated philosophy of the department; show compassion and build commitment to different approaches to police services.
• Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies, or methods.
• Prepare and administer budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Research, interpret, summarize, and present information and data in an effective manner.
• Prepare and process various records, reports, forms, and other documents.
• Understand, interpret, apply, and ensure adherence with all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Supervise the operation and operate the equipment, firearms, and emergency vehicles in a safe, legal, and responsible manner and under stressful conditions.
• Maintain accurate records and files of work performed.
• Effectively represent the department and the Town in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow‑up on assignments.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Apply and uphold the Town-wide and departmental goals and the Town Employee values of Integrity, Teamwork, Accountability, Commitment, and Excellence.
• Demonstrate understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse socio‑economic, racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds, diverse abilities, gender, gender identity and expression, and sexual orientation of Town staff and community served.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Equivalent to an associate degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in political science, criminal justice, business or public administration, or a related field and five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience as a sworn Police Officer.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:

• Possession of an appropriate valid drivers’ license to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of a valid Intermediate Certificate issued by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Supervisory Certificate issued by POST within twelve (12) months of hire, to be maintained throughout employment.

• Mobility to work primarily in a patrol and field environment; to respond to emergency situations and apprehend suspects; to frequently walk, run, stand on uneven terrain, and climb and descend structures to access crime scenes and to identify problems or hazards; to frequently bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform work; and to work in a secondary office or station environment and use standard office equipment, including a computer.
• Strength and stamina to apprehend, lift, carry, push, and pull victims, suspects, and equipment as determined within POST physical standards, which may include the use of proper equipment.
• Vision and manual dexterity to operate vehicles including emergency response vehicles in all conditions, often at a high rate of speed in emergency situations; to maintain firearms qualification and to read printed materials and a computer screen.
• Finger and manual dexterity are needed to operate police services equipment and firearms and to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard.
• Hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone or radio.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The principal duties of this class are performed in a field environment with exposure to criminal offenders, mentally ill individuals, and persons potentially infected with communicable diseases; and outdoor conditions with exposure to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, moving vehicles, and hazardous physical substances and fumes.
• Duties are also performed in an office or station environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.
• Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
• Positions require overtime, weekend work, and shift work.