Chief of Police

City of Clinton • Clinton, IA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Chief of Police protects lives and property through leadership, administration, and supervision of the Clinton Police Department. Operating under the executive direction of the City Administrator, the Chief oversees administrative and operational functions, including personnel, planning, budgeting, policy development, and coordination of services. The position requires independent judgment and decision-making within applicable law, City policy, and delegated authority, and may assume command during critical incidents and major police emergencies. The City Administrator reviews the Chief’s work through conferences, written reports, and evaluation of results.

The successful candidate must demonstrate sound judgment, strong leadership, fiscal responsibility, and commitment to public service, accountability, constitutional policing, respectful service, fair treatment, community participation, and professional accountability. The Chief must be available for emergencies, critical incidents, evening meetings, community events, and other duties outside regular business hours; perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation; and comply with applicable City residency requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Police Science, Management, or a closely related field.
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in police administration.
• At least five years of general law enforcement experience as a sworn officer in a public law enforcement agency.
• Executive or command experience as Chief of Police in a comparable or smaller agency; Deputy Chief or Assistant Chief in a comparable or larger agency; or Commander, Major, or equivalent in a significantly larger agency.
• Completion of at least one extended professional management or executive leadership program, such as the Senior Management Institute for Police, FBI National Academy, Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, or a comparable program.
• Obtain valid Iowa peace officer certification within one year and maintain eligibility to serve as an Iowa peace officer throughout employment.
• Meet applicable Iowa Law Enforcement Academy standards, including U.S. citizenship, minimum age of 18 at appointment, applicable residency requirements, and a valid Iowa driver’s license or qualifying license from the state of residence when legally permitted.
• Meet applicable standards for moral character, criminal history, drug or alcohol addiction, medical fitness, vision, color vision, hearing, and physical fitness; be willing to use lawful force when necessary; and have no prior decertification in another jurisdiction or other disqualifying conduct under applicable ILEA rules.
• Remain legally eligible to possess firearms, maintain required firearms qualifications, and satisfy applicable continuing education, in-service training, and certification requirements.
• Demonstrate thorough knowledge of modern police administration and operations, organizational management, budgeting, personnel administration, labor relations, applicable laws and ordinances, departmental policies, collective bargaining agreements, and police records practices.
• Analyze complex problems, make sound independent decisions, resolve conflict, and remain calm during emergencies.
• Communicate effectively through listening, interpersonal interaction, public speaking, and writing.
• Learn and apply knowledge of Clinton’s geography, demographics, and public safety needs.
• Be proficient with firearms, police vehicles, radios, computers, and other equipment necessary for the position.
• Perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation and comply with applicable City residency requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Management, Police Science, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated success in community engagement, organizational improvement, employee development, and strategic planning.
• Experience administering municipal police budgets, grants, collective bargaining agreements, and civil service processes.
• Experience using crime analysis, performance measures, and technology to improve public safety services.

Responsibilities

• Lead, administer, and supervise the Clinton Police Department to protect lives and property.
• Oversee Department personnel, planning, budgeting, policy development, and coordination of services.
• Exercise independent judgment and decision-making within applicable law, City policy, and delegated authority.
• Assume command of critical incidents and major police emergencies when needed.
• Prepare and explain budgets, fiscal requests, policies, and analytical reports.
• Lead, motivate, evaluate, and develop employees.
• Build productive relationships with City officials, employees, professional organizations, the news media, and the public.
• Attend to emergencies, critical incidents, evening meetings, community events, and other responsibilities outside regular business hours.
• Maintain Iowa peace officer eligibility, firearms qualification, and applicable continuing education, in-service training, and certification requirements.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive