Police Chief

Police Chief 

Title:  Police Chief 

Salary:  $60,000 - $120,000 Annually, dependent on qualifications, payable bi-weekly, plus a benefit package which includes health, dental, vision, life and disability coverage plus employee deferred compensation plan, vacation, and holidays. The City of Valley is an equal opportunity employer. 

DEFINITION 

Plan, direct, manage and oversee the activities and operations of the Police Department including crime prevention, investigation and other law enforcement activities; coordinate assigned activities with other City departments and outside agencies; and provide policy, technical and administrative support to the Mayor, City Council and City Administrator. 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS 

Leadership role that requires personal courage, integrity beyond reproach, personal confidence and intelligence, responsive to needs of others, care about and enjoy working with people while being open to learning new strategies as directed by an elected body. Be highly organized and able to simultaneously direct the activities and projects of multiple divisions that are geographically and functionally dispersed. 

Essential Functions 

• Display a willingness to assume and visibly demonstrate mentoring and coaching, role modeling and leadership to staff members by recognizing and developing talent. 

• Display honest, trustworthy, and ethical behavior when dealing with internal and external customers.  

• Regular attendance that is punctual and dependable is required. 

• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including a variety of City and other government officials, community groups, the general public, and media representatives. 

• Assume full management responsibility for all Police Department services and activities including crime prevention, investigation, and related law enforcement activities; recommend and administer polices and procedures. 

• Manage the development and implementation of Police Department goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for each assigned service area; establish, within City policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; allocate resources accordingly. 

• Continuously monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assess and monitor work load, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement; direct the implementation of changes. 

• Represent the Police Department to other City departments, elected officials and outside agencies; explain and justify Police Department programs, policies, and activities; negotiate and resolve sensitive, significant and controversial issues. 

• Plan, direct and coordinate, through subordinate level managers, the Police Department's work plan; meet with management staff to identify and resolve problems; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures. 

• Manage and participate in the development and administration of the Police Department budget; direct the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; direct the monitoring of and approve expenditures; direct the preparation of and implement budgetary adjustments as necessary. 

• Prepare a variety of technical departmental activities reports and records. 

• Participate in labor relations activities as related to the Police Department; provide advice and assistance to the management negotiating team. 

• Select, train, motivate and evaluate Police Department personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures; direct personnel investigations regarding police actions. 

• Coordinate Police Department activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations; provide staff assistance to the Mayor, City Administrator and City Council; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence. 

• Respond to citizen inquiries and resolve difficult and sensitive complaints; develop policy regarding interactions with media personnel. 

• Participate on a variety of boards and committees; attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the law enforcement field. 

• Perform related duties as assigned. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

Knowledge of: 

• Modern principles, practices and techniques of police administration, organization and operation. 

• Principles and practices of law enforcement and crime prevention theory and their application to a wide variety of services and activities. 

• Advanced principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration. 

• Technical and administrative phases of crime prevention and law enforcement including investigation and identification, patrol, traffic control, records management, care and custody of persons and property and environmental protection. 

• Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies and operational needs. 

• Principles and practices of organization, administration and personnel management. 

• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation. 

• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations. 

• Principles and techniques of public relations. 

• Use of firearms and other modern police equipment. 

Ability to: 

• Develop and administer sound departmental policies. 

• Plan, organize, direct and coordinate the work of supervisory, professional and technical police personnel. 

• Provide administrative and professional leadership and direction to the Police Department. 

• Select, supervise, train and evaluate staff. 

• Identify and respond to community and City Council issues, concerns and needs. 

• Develop, implement and administer goals, objectives and practices for Police Department programs and services. 

• Prepare and administer large and complex budgets. 

• Allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner. 

• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals. 

• Research, analyze and evaluate new program techniques, methods and procedures. 

• Interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations. 

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
   

Training, Education and Experience 

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

Experience: 

Seven years of progressively responsible experience in law enforcement including five years in an administrative capacity. Experience should include budget formulation, development and implementation of department goals and training and performance evaluation. 

Training: 

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in criminal justice, public or business administration or a related field. (Master’s Degree preferred.) 

Licenses/Certifications/Registrations Required 

Employee must possess a valid driver’s license and maintain insurability as determined by the City’s insurance carrier. 

Possession of, or ability to obtain, required certification from the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center. 

Subject to background search, pre-employment physical, drug screen and psychological testing.   

Supervision Received and Exercised 

Receives general administrative direction from the Mayor or City Administrator. 

Exercises direct and indirect supervision over supervisory, professional, technical and clerical staff, both sworn and civilian.