Police Captain

Police Captain

Under administrative direction, the Police Captain plans, directs, administers, and manages staff and their functions, both directly and through secondary supervisors, for one or more divisions in the Police Department. Incumbents are responsible for formulating policy, developing goals and objectives, supervising staff and ensuring a high level of customer services is delivered, administering the division budget(s), directing day to day activities, assuming command in emergency situations, and providing highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Police Chief. This position may be assigned as Acting Police Chief during the Chief's absence; and performs other duties as assigned.

The Police Captain has division level responsibility for the administration of one or more divisions of the Police Department with a broad range of independence within policy and procedural limitations and works under minimal supervision. This classification is distinguished from the Police Lieutenant which has supervisory responsibility of the activities of a section or unit in the Police Department. It is further distinguished from Police Chief, which has overall responsibility for all Police Department services.

Administrative direction is provided by the Police Chief. Direct supervision and managing through secondary supervisors is provided to sworn and non-sworn personnel assigned to the division.

Demonstrated knowledge of principles and practices of supervision, training, mentoring, evaluating, and implementing progressive discipline; laws and regulations in the supervision of law enforcement personnel, such as the Police Officer Bill of Rights; modern concepts and practices of municipal, public and police administration including crime prevention, community policing, juvenile delinquency control, gang enforcement, and other current issues; technical and administrative phases of crime prevention and law enforcement including investigation and identification, patrol, traffic control, emergency preparedness, record keeping, and care and custody of persons and property; local, state and federal laws and case decisions; methods of managing and planning for patrol, investigation, dispatch, business services, crime prevention, youth services and family counseling, animal control, tactical and major event planning; principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration; effective communication techniques, including public speaking; complex research and reporting methods; and effective application of human relations techniques.

Demonstrated skills to plan, staff, direct, and coordinate the varied programs and responsibilities of a major police division; research, analyze, study and report on topics relating to police practices and procedures; plan for major events and tactical situations; develop programs, directives, guidelines and procedures; prepare staff reports with options and recommendations; communicate clearly, objectively and effectively, both orally and in writing; analyze situations accurately and swiftly and adopt an effective course of action; develop and manage an annual budget; utilize contemporary technology such as communication devises/systems, computers, software, and applications; prepared written reports and make presentations; and exemplify an enthusiastic, resourceful, and effective service attitude with those contacted in the course of the work.

Ability to effectively work under the urgency of deadlines; recognize trends and problems in the police field and in the analysis and development of solutions to problems; solve complex problems and mediate to resolve disputes; provide resourcefulness in all facets of modern and progressive law enforcement management; solicit creativity from employees; establish and maintain effective employee and citizen relations; and effectively relate to those contacted in the course of work.

Any combination of experience, education and training that would provide the best qualified candidates. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills and abilities would be: experience of seven years as California police officer in a municipal or county police agency with at least 12 months at a level equivalent to a Police Lieutenant. Well?rounded police career development is preferred. Education equivalent to graduation from a four?year accredited and P.O.S.T. acceptable college or university with major course work in police science, criminal justice, administration of justice, psychology, business/public administration or a related social sciences field. Possession of a master's degree in a related field from an accredited and P.O.S.T. acceptable college or university is preferred. Successful completion of the P.O.S.T. Law Enforcement Command College program or the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Academy Training program is desirable. Any recent training, such as academic courses or certification programs which are relevant to this job classification. Possession and maintenance of a valid California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record, as determined by the City. Must possess California P.O.S.T. Advanced and Supervisory certificates. P.O.S.T. Management certification is highly desirable. Must have willingness and ability to work such hours as are necessary to accomplish the job requirements; work any shift, holidays, weekends, and be available on call, as required; attend meetings, seminars and conferences during work and non-work hours. Must be of the highest proven integrity, possess moral standards. Essential duties require the mental and/or physical ability to maintain physical and emotional conditioning to optimally perform in this position; see well enough to drive vehicles, read small print on documents and maps, detect subtle shades of color; hear and speak well enough to communicate over the telephone, radio and in person at distances of up to 50 feet; detect unusual sounds; voice volume and speech clarity to command during an emergency; use of hands and fingers to write, operate equipment, drive a vehicle, operate a personal computer; stamina to perform administrative functions and to meet physical and mental demands during an emergency; other physical requirements as in the P.O.S.T. Medical Screening Manual.