Assistant Police Chief

Town of Pagosa Springs•Hot Springs, CO

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Performs professional, administrative, and managerial duties related to planning, organizing, directing, and coordinating the enforcement of federal, state laws and municipal ordinances as needed to preserve the peace and protect citizen rights and property. As second in command, manages departmental operations and day-to-day community relations as assigned. Assumes full responsibility for the department in the absence of the Police Chief.

Requirements

Graduation from college with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in police science, criminal justice, or a related field
Formal supervisory training provided through in-service, professional workshops or POST certifications
Must possess a Colorado POST or provisional certification
Eight (8) years of progressively responsible law enforcement experience
Two (2) years of which must have been in a supervisory capacity at the rank of sergeant or above
OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Thorough knowledge of law enforcement principles, methods and techniques
Legal and political environment associated with police administration
Federal, state, county and municipal ordinances
Investigative procedures and practices
Legal liabilities associated with arrest and law enforcement
Police tactics, negotiations, resources, command structure and use of force
Court room procedures and laws of evidence
Principles of effective supervision and employee motivation, interpersonal communication skills and public relations
Budgetary practices and procedures and fiscal management
Local geography, road systems, and boundaries
Standard first-aid administration.
Working knowledge of English, grammar, and technical writing skills.
Some knowledge of principles of psychology and sociology.
Skill in the art of diplomacy and creative problem solving
The proper use and care of firearms and familiar with the operation of other tactical police equipment
The management of sensitive law enforcement issues and interdepartmental conflicts
Basic CPR, First Aid, and emergency vehicle operations.
Ability to administer and supervise in town-wide comprehensive law enforcement programs
Exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations, and in making decisions in emergency situations
Assure compliance with and follow safety practices and procedures common to law enforcement work
Operate a personal computer and various programs, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Record Information Management System law enforcement software, etc.
Communicate effectively verbally and in writing
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected and appointed officials, other law enforcement agencies, service and community organization, private businesses and the public.

Responsibilities

Provides general supervision to all department sworn and civilian personnel directly or through subordinate supervisors.
Assists subordinate supervisors to manage personnel functions of the department; directs the supervision of department personnel; assures adequate shift scheduling; recommends and implements policies for hiring and firing; conducts interviews; evaluates employee performance; makes decisions affecting employee selection, retention, advancement, discipline and termination; writes and/or reviews letters of recommendation or reprimand; handles grievances and disciplinary matters related to work assignments and interpersonal relationships.
Attends command and staff meetings; conducts shift briefings, communicates department memos, announces court dates and schedule changes; exercises supervision over lower ranking officers assigned as field training officers; coordinates assignments and assists in the performance of duties as needed; observes and evaluates work performed by subordinate officers; ensures compliance with established policies and procedures; provides policy interpretations and judgments to subordinate officers; delivers and implements managerial directives and communicates subordinate concerns to management; reviews and quality checks shift incident reports; sits on specialty review boards and committees as assigned.
Monitors departmental and officer status for compliance with state training requirements; maintains and oversees tracking system of training needs; schedules officers; participates in the development and delivery of special training programs; assists with creation and revision of training manuals.
Acts as internal affairs supervisor; follows up on complaints involving officers and civilian employees; coordinates internal investigations; reports any insubordination or misconduct to police chief; prepares recommendations for discipline based upon investigation and/or clears officers and department of impropriety; coordinates background investigations of all candidates for hire; evaluates and assures delivery of necessary training needed by the department; handles, reviews and takes corrective action on police liability issues and citizen complaints.
Recommends and implements department policies and procedures consistent with department head directives; makes recommendations affecting the creation of town ordinance addressing public safety issues.
Plans law enforcement programs and implements strategies to better carry out policies and goals; reviews department performance and effectiveness and formulates action to upgrade departmental efficiency and capability as needed; searches funding alternatives and assists to write applications for grants.
Assists in the preparation and administration of departmental budgets; reviews various budget expenditures; verifies costs incurred by the department; assists in the review and approval of budget expenditures.
Reviews and approves time sheets and requests for overtime; ensures timesheets are submitted promptly and accurately; performs work-time audits to track and manage comp time accumulations.
Acts as department purchasing officer; performs general inventory management; ensures timely and effective vehicle maintenance; monitors fuel accounts for compliance with utilization policy; manages controlled inventory related to ammunition and firearms according to federal firearms regulations.
Prepares and submits periodic reports to the Police Chief regarding departmental activity; prepares a variety of other reports as appropriate.
Attends and represents the Police Chief at various state, local, task force, interagency, legal-update, and other meetings to maintain an effective networking system and provide coordination within the law enforcement agencies and other departments; coordinates and conducts departmental meetings; attends conferences and meetings to keep abreast of current trends in law enforcement; sits on various committees as assigned, i.e., special events coordination.
Oversees ongoing investigations; oversees technical services and evidence functions; directs or performs criminal investigations; assigns cases for investigation; monitors case progress and approves final disposition; develops and maintains intelligence information; conducts in-depth investigations of criminal activities; processes scene of crime; finds, identifies, marks and preserves evidence; questions witnesses and victims; prepares all necessary reports; coordinates narcotics intelligence and tips as assigned by the Chief of Police.
Reviews cases being prepared for trial with emphasis on the evidentiary and legal issues crucial to successful prosecution.
Prepares detailed reports of activities and investigations made; consults with prosecutors and prepares case reports for court action; testifies in court.
Assists in obtaining, enhancing, preparing, or presenting exhibits or other evidence in court as required.
Manages departmental tactical operations; assumes incident command as officer in charge (OIC); participates in, directs, and coordinates emergency actions, criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, and other enforcement activities as required; performs all duties of a police officer as needed; may work a shift schedule; as needed, may supervise and monitor the maintenance of police record keeping system; monitors reports; may review and oversee daily criminal case logs; recommends course of action and investigative case strategies.
When available provides backup for officers (24 hours a day).
Assists to direct the maintenance and safekeeping of physical evidence, stolen property, abandoned property and other items falling under custody of town police department.
Subject to on-call supervisor status.
Performs related duties as required.