Job Descriptions

DEFINITION:

Under administrative direction plans, directs and reviews the activities of the Police Department; provides for full service law enforcement, crime prevention, dispatch services, community education, recreation, cultural arts, neighborhood services, animal control, and code enforcement; responsible for budget, and program direction; provides direction to assure compliance to federal, state and local regulations. Provides leadership and direction to meet City goals and to coordinate with other service areas, agencies, boards, commissions and the public. May act as City Manager in his/her absence and perform other job related work as required.

This position is as assigned to the management bargaining unit for Labor Relations purposes and is considered exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Administrative direction is provided by the City Manager. The job incumbent provides general direction to subordinate level managers in affected program areas.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a department head management classification responsible for the direction of discrete departmental organizational component(s) and programs/functions as determined by the City Manager and City Council. The incumbent exercises policy development and promulgation responsibilities for multiple program/functional areas. Serves as a member of the City executive team with responsibilities for establishing and overseeing programs and policies that affect multiple departments and the City as a whole. Approves and has final responsibility for all written and other types of presentations to the City Council and other commissions, boards and policy adopting bodies. The incumbent is expected to demonstrate professional competence while working as a team member and exercise independent judgment in a number of confidential and sensitive areas. Duties and responsibilities are performed in accordance with municipal codes, ordinances, City policy, federal, and state regulating entities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Duties may include but are not limited to:

• Develops and reviews policies, rules and procedures for effective operation of Police services.
• Directs departmental policy; collaborates with division managers regarding divisional policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates leadership in commitment to the Police Code of Ethics and highest ethical values in the delivery of public service.
• Directs police command staff and supervisors responsible for, crime prevention, planning, research, special programs/projects and disaster preparedness.
• Directs the operations of the Animal Control, Recreation/Neighborhood Services Division and Youth Services.
• Acts in an official capacity in local disaster preparedness organization.
• Supervises, oversees and directs special studies and criminal investigations and internal investigations related to complaints.
• Directs the assignment of employees and equipment.
• Coordinates with allied and other local government agencies in emergency response activities.
• Confers with and makes recommendations to the City Manager regarding projects and programs and participates in the development and implementation of City’s strategic plan.
• Updates City Council and City Executive Staff of emergency developments.
• Plans, directs and coordinates the activities of the Police Department in field operations, community services and recreational areas.
• Directs departmental operations, activities and provides planning and research for disaster preparedness, protection of life and property, maintenance of the public peace, regulation of traffic, apprehension, arrest and detention of law violators, and maintenance of police records and jail facilities and provision of emergency dispatch services.
• Confers with public officials and citizen groups on law enforcement problems and assists in the development of municipal law enforcement policies.
• Provides administrative direction to activities relating to the effective utilization of personnel, facilities and equipment.
• Leads or participates in Police Activities League, Police Chaplaincy Board, County Police Chiefs Association, and California Police Chiefs Association.
• Consults, confers and coordinates with City departments, citizens and officials regarding conflicts and issues related to regulatory compliance; participates with Executive Team.
• Directs and participates in the preparation of budget related to assigned activities; oversees budget implementation; directs the forecast of additional funds; approves expenditures; implements mid-year adjustments.
• Makes presentations before various groups, including City Counsel, commissions, boards, committees, task forces, and on and off-site public meetings; participates in community events.
• Supervises staff including provision of timely performance evaluations; recommends and implements approved discipline; provides staff development; and maintains high standards necessary for efficient, professional operations; participates in labor negotiations.
• Answers difficult questions; provides information to the public, other City departments, and other agencies; recommends and coordinates corrective actions; investigates, reports, documents and resolves complaints.
• Builds and maintains respectful, positive working relationships with staff, supervisors, outside agencies and the public using principles of good customer service; provides effective conflict resolution, as needed.
• Models appropriate professional management conduct; maintains appropriate confidentiality of sensitive information; complies with and supports City policies and procedures, labor laws, and MOU provisions.
• Attends assigned meetings and training and police conferences; interacts with outside agencies and commissions; consortium, participates in teams, or committees, as needed.
• Assures staff works in a safe manner; follows safety requirements; monitors and assures compliance with regulations and other legal requirements.
• Performs other duties, as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge of:

• Modern principles, practices and techniques of a municipal police department, emergency dispatch services, animal control, community services, cultural arts, leisure time and recreation administration.
• Modern operating principles, practices and techniques of law enforcement and crime prevention including causation of criminal/deviant behavior and Community-Oriented Policing.
• Use and maintenance of law enforcement equipment and apparatus.
• Codes, regulations, criminal laws and ordinances related to police activities, crime prevention, emergency response and disaster preparedness;
• Turlock Associated Police Officers M.O.U., City procedures and policies.
• Local geography and available police resources.
• Modern office procedures, and methods including computer equipment, word processing, spread sheet, data base, graphic presentations and other needed specialized software applications, and internet and electronic communication usage and methods.
• Budgeting development procedures and administration.
• Principles and practices of supervision, staff selection, motivation, training and personnel management.
• Principles of effective time management
• Principles of effective public speaking, conflict resolution and excellent customer service.

Ability to:

• Effectively formulate, organize and administer sound departmental policy in the areas of police administration, law enforcement and crime prevention.
• Interact with citizens and employees in an effective way that produces positive results.
• Supervise the management of major incidents and crime scenes.
• Analyze police and community problems and plan philosophies, goals, objectives, policies and procedures which are tangible, achievable and measurable to meet needs; determine community needs; establish and maintain excellent community relations.
• Interpret and implement City Council direction.
• Work well under pressure; work such hours as are necessary to accomplish the job including remaining on-call 24 hours a day; travel out of the area during or after work hours.
• Understand, interpret and communicate state and federal regulations, laws, codes, policies and solutions in the area of crime management.
• Direct program services that benefit the community; analyze policy issues and develop recommendations and solutions.
• Delegate authority and responsibility as well as schedule and program work.
• Work with and control sensitive and confidential information.
• Plan, initiate, and direct complete complex and multiple simultaneous work assignments; set priorities and organize work to meet deadlines.
• Lead, manage, evaluate and train personnel effectively and maintain discipline.
• Organize, implement and direct departmental goals within City objectives.
• Make highly effective presentations before groups and represent the City in public forums; interpret and communicate codes and regulatory information.
• Use computer and needed programs in a highly effective manner.
• Direct, project and administer a budget.
• Establish and maintain respectful, effective and cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Communicate effectively, orally, electronically and in writing.
• Perform the duties and requirements of a sworn police officer.

EXPERIENCE:

Five years of increasingly responsible professional command level management experience with a public law enforcement agency with at least three of those years performing administrative and supervisory oversight at Lieutenant level or higher or any experience that would have provided the opportunity to develop the required skills, knowledge and abilities.

EDUCATION & TRAINING:

Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with significant course work in the areas of Criminal Justice, Administration of Justice, Law Enforcement, Criminology, Police Science, Public Administration, or a related field.

LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATE:

• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License in the category necessary to perform essential duties of the position may be required as the time of appointment. Maintenance of a valid California Driver’s license and proof of automobile liability insurance is a condition of continued employment.
• Possession of California Peace Officer’s Standards and Training Advanced and Management Certificates.
• Graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy is desirable.

Maintain required physical abilities including: vision adequate to operate vehicles and equipment, read instructions and follow directions, read maps and small print, detect subtle shades of color; hearing adequate to distinguish mechanical noises, converse on radio, telephone and in person at distances of up to 50 feet, and detect unusual sounds; voice volume and speech clarity to command during an emergency; body mobility adequate to operate emergency equipment and perform required duties; stamina to perform administrative functions and to meet physical and mental demands during an emergency; use of hands and fingers adequate for operation of special equipment and weapons, writing, typing and computer related functions; ability to lift heavy equipment, as needed in emergency conditions.