Police Chief

Police Chief

The Police Chief is a full-time department head classification responsible for the functions of the Police Department. This position provides assistance to the City Manager in a variety of administrative, analytical, and collaborative capacities. Work is performed under the administrative direction of the City Manager, with extensive latitude granted for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative. Responsibilities include coordinating activities with other departments and agencies and managing and overseeing the complex functions of the department. Work is typically performed in a general office environment and in a variety of emergency and non-emergency situations that may involve exposure to potential personal danger. Moderate to heavy physical activity may be required in certain situations. Outdoor work may include exposure to inclement weather.

Examples of duties include assuming full management responsibility for all department services and activities, managing the development and implementation of departmental goals, supporting implementation of the City Council's Strategic Plan, planning, directing, and coordinating a department work plan, providing leadership in emergency management, assessing and monitoring workload, administrative and support systems, and overseeing Department accreditation, regulatory compliance, and professional standards.

Typical qualifications include knowledge of safe work practices, modern principles of Police Department administration, advanced methods of crime prevention and law enforcement, laws affecting law enforcement agencies, use and care of firearms, principles of supervision, training, management, performance evaluation, and public administration, principles and practices of effective public speaking and report writing, and modern office methods, practices, and procedures, including computer hardware and software. Ability to act with integrity, ingenuity, and effectiveness, plan, organize, direct, and coordinate law enforcement and crime prevention functions, provide supervision, training, and management for Department staff, formulate, evaluate, and recommend updates to Department policies, procedures, municipal regulations, and operational practices, interpret, explain, apply, and enforce laws, rules, and regulations, direct the preparation of records and reports, prepare and administer the Department budget, provide advice and consultation to the City Manager and City Council on law enforcement activities and functions, effectively represent the Police Department with citizen groups, boards, commissions, and other government agencies, establish and maintain effective working relationships, communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language, understand and follow oral and/or written instructions, policies, and procedures, operate a personal computer using software applications appropriate to assigned tasks, as applicable, perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under pressure of deadlines and changing priorities, quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology, and discharge firearms in a safe and effective manner.

Education and experience requirements include a High School Diploma or GED, a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field, and any combination of training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities. Experience may be substituted for education. Job requirements include possession of a Supervisory Certificate and a P.O.S.T. Management Certificate, a valid California Driver's License, and willingness to work irregular hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.