Chief of Police

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Deliver Core Public Safety Services
• Ensure that all laws and ordinances are enforced and that public peace and safety are maintained.
• Be regularly visible in the community, address citizen concerns, and maintain a customer service culture that results in a low volume of substantiated complaints.
• Maintain state accreditation.
• Maintain short patrol response times separated between priority and non-priority calls.
• Maintain no gaps in patrol coverage; personnel are on-duty 24 hours per day.
• Use creative, community-appropriate strategies to identify and solve recurring problems.
• Ensure that patrol personnel are proactive, not reactive in daily routines.

Leadership

• Provide clear vision and expectations for police department personnel.
• Be present. Maintain a clear path of communication while adhering to chain of command structure.
• Be consistent and professional (yet approachable). Maintain a professional appearance and decorum.
• Use creativity and a personal touch to maintain high department morale. Seek opportunities to enhance officer engagement.
• Mentor senior leaders in the department. Hold them accountable to the highest standards.
• Meet with elected or appointed officials, other law enforcement officials, community and business representatives, and the public on aspects of the department’s activities.
• Attend conferences and meetings to keep abreast of current trends in the field.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with King County, Washington State, and neighboring departments, and participate in mutual aid task forces as appropriate.
• Attend staff and community meetings regularly, including City Council, Public Safety committee meetings, and public hearings; make regular presentations to City Council.

Management

• Plan, coordinate, and supervise operations of the department to achieve the department mission. Seek continuous improvement in police operations.
• Formulate policies and regulations governing activities of the police department. Enforce department policies and standards equally and fairly.
• Direct the development and maintenance of systems, records, and legal documents that provide for the proper evaluation, control, and documentation of police department operations.
• Prepare and submit regular reports to the City Administrator and City Council regarding the department’s activities. Define and monitor specific departmental performance measures.
• Ensure proper evidence handling and records management procedures are followed.
• Organize the police department’s work plan; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; meet with key staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Prepare and deliver written performance evaluations and necessary discipline of department personnel.
• Approve the hiring or termination of department employees, subject to approval of the City Administrator following consultation with the Mayor.
• Assure compliance with applicable collective bargaining agreements, labor laws, and human resource policies.
• Maintain current training and certifications for all staff.

Budgeting

• Prepare budget requests that are clear, concise, and tied to service needs and the city’s strategic plan, keeping limited city resources in mind.
• Manage resources responsibly and transparently. Ensure overtime is justified and monitored.
• Ensure that training aligns with actual department needs. Seek opportunities to obtain training through shared resources with other departments or hosted trainings.
• Pursue grant opportunities when available.
• Plan for and recommend improvements to equipment and facilities as needed.
• Maintain vehicles and equipment in serviceable and presentable condition. Fully track and protect city assets.
• Make purchases within the guidelines of city purchasing policies, including appropriate documentation to meet state audit requirements.

Additional duties

• Direct and assist with investigation of major crimes, accidents, or other unusual incidents; personally participate in the more difficult problems encountered by department personnel.
• Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive resident inquiries and complaints.
• Inform city leadership of potential liability exposures.
• Use social media and other communication tools to be responsive, transparent, and to keep the public informed.