Chief of Police

Description The Chief of Police leads the Police Department and is responsible for providing strategic direction, professional management, and effective oversight of all police services within the municipality. This role emphasizes proactive community engagement, transparent communication, and collaborative partnerships with community stakeholders, residents, and the larger central Ohio law enforcement community to maintain public trust, reduce crime, and foster a safe, welcoming community for all residents, business owners and visitors of the City of New Albany. As a member of the city’s senior leadership team, focus outwardly and prioritize the needs and wellbeing of the city in decision-making and problem-solving. This position is unclassified and exempt from FLSA overtime requirements. Examples of Duties Provide leadership, vision, and direction to all divisions of the Police Department, ensuring alignment with the police department’s mission, vision and values; shepherds the work culture, demonstrates and upholds departmental and organizational values in all aspects. Develop and implement policies, including community policing strategies that prioritize relationship building, problem solving, and visible engagement with residents, businesses, schools, and local organizations. Demonstrate servant leadership and foster a positive collaborative relationship with peer directors within the City of New Albany, the City Manager and City Council. Identify and support staff training opportunities, including leadership development for the next generation of leadership. Maintain public trust through transparency, accessibility, and responsiveness to community needs and concerns. Ensure positive employee-management relationships; proactively manages personnel issues to mitigate escalation of negative outcomes. Establish performance standards and evaluate departmental operations to ensure the effective delivery of police services, compliance with laws, and adherence to best practices. Develop and manage the department’s annual budget; ensure responsible stewardship of municipal resources. Lead emergency response efforts, coordinate with regional public safety partners, and maintain readiness for critical incidents. Ensure officers receive ongoing training in areas such as de-escalation, crisis intervention, current laws, and community engagement. Review departmental policies and implement updates consistent with current Ohio law, policing standards, and to maintain CALEA accreditation; ensures Department goals align with City goals. Serve as a visible, approachable representative of the Police Department at community events, council meetings, and public forums. Foster collaborative relationships with schools, social service agencies, community groups, and neighboring jurisdictions. Use data-driven approaches to identify trends, allocate resources, and develop crime reduction strategies. Understand and balance city resources, prioritize essential police services, and engage in ancillary law enforcement duties when resources allow. As a member of the city’s senior leadership team, interact collaboratively with fellow members of the team, promote a high functioning team environment and actively ensure that police department operations are well integrated with those of the other city departments. Promote a collaborative, wholistic organizational environment that includes the regular positive interaction of police department personnel with the personnel of other departments. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, or a related field, and a Master’s degree in any discipline preferred. Extensive law enforcement experience, including progressively responsible supervisory and administrative roles. Additional requirements: Valid Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA) certification and ability to maintain certification. Completion of advanced leadership training (e.g., FBI National Academy, PERF, Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command or equivalent). Valid Ohio Driver License and ability to maintain license. Ability to acquire and maintain LEADS and NCIC certification. Other requirements include the incumbent must possess a valid Ohio driver’s license and the ability to maintain insurability under the city’s vehicle insurance policy. The incumbent must be able to successfully pass a background check according to the city’s established criteria and any restrictions put in place by state law. Background investigation includes, but is not limited to: credit, criminal history, employment and personal reference checks. After a conditional offer is extended, candidates will be subject to a lie detector examination, medical evaluation, drug screen, and psychological evaluation to determine fitness for duty. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Extensive knowledge of: supervisory principles, practices, methods; working within union environments; collective bargaining and contract management; Federal, State and Local laws; law enforcement methods, Ohio criminal law, public safety operations, and community-oriented policing principles. Demonstrated ability to: present well‑researched and vetted ideas and programs to groups; accurately respond to questions in a prompt and thorough manner, both orally and in writing, that concisely articulates the city’s position; provide alternative recommendations applying creative thinking to solve problems; deliver quality services in an economical and efficient manner; develop and maintain excellent relations with the city council and members of the leadership team; work with a variety of individuals and achieve consensus among group members; use initiative and judgment within established guidelines, organize work, set priorities and follow‑up on assignments with minimal supervision; develop and standardize procedures and methods to improve the city’s efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of city services; establish and develop positive working relationships with community stakeholders, city council members, members of the management team, and all other staff, in order to support a high level of organizational performance; work independently, and possess a willingness to seek direction and assistance when needed; accurately analyze complex issues, make sound decisions, and respond effectively to high‑pressure situations. Patience and skillfulness in explaining complicated concepts to all facets of the community in a way that is understood. Demonstrated ability to foster a positive, accountable, and service‑oriented departmental culture. Physical requirements include, but are not limited to: ability to operate a motor vehicle in a safe manner in all types of weather and, if necessary and appropriate, high speeds; stand, sit, walk, work in all types of weather conditions; work outside regular business hours; use appropriate restraint and force to enforce laws or apprehend subjects; use personal computer for office duties and specialized law enforcement software or equipment; maintain firearms qualifications. Commitment to ethical policing, procedural justice, and continuous improvement. Benefits The City of New Albany offers a variety of valuable benefits for full‑time employees which include: employer funded Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) or Health Savings Account (HSA); flexible spending accounts for general medical and employer contribution to dependent care for hourly employees; employer‑paid dental, vision, life and short‑term disability insurances; paid holidays, vacation, personal, and sick leave. Employees can participate in deferred compensation programs (pre‑tax and Roth available), purchase supplemental accident or life insurance policies at a discounted group rate, and participate in professional development programs. City of New Albany employees participate in OPERS or OP&F (police officers) retirement systems. #J-18808-Ljbffr