Police Captain

City of Deerfield Beach•Usa, FL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

This is a senior sworn command classification responsible for directing a major division, bureau, or Department-wide function and for assisting executive leadership with strategy, policy, accountability, resource management, and organizational performance. A Police Captain leads through subordinate commanders and supervisors, oversees complex operational and administrative responsibilities, represents the Department with City and community partners, and may assume higher command responsibilities when designated. Regardless of rank or assignment, the incumbent remains responsible for performing full police officer duties whenever called upon or operationally required.

Requirements

Be at least nineteen (19) years of age at the time of appointment.
Be a citizen of the United States.
Possess a high school diploma or equivalent recognized by the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC).
Meet all minimum qualifications for employment or appointment as a Florida law enforcement officer under section 943.13, Florida Statutes, and applicable CJSTC rules, including requirements related to criminal history, military discharge, fingerprints, good moral character, background investigation, physical examination, controlled-substance screening, required affidavits, training, examination, and continuing training or education.
Possess a valid Florida law enforcement officer certification issued through FDLE/CJSTC at the time of application, OR be eligible and able to obtain Florida law enforcement officer certification no later than the date of appointment.
Applicants who are not currently Florida-certified must successfully complete the applicable CJSTC certification, equivalency-of-training, reinstatement, or other authorized process, including the State Officer Certification Examination when required, before appointment.
Possess a valid driver license from any state equivalent to a Florida Class E license and obtain a valid Florida driver license within thirty (30) days of employment.
Be legally eligible to possess and use firearms and other law-enforcement equipment required to perform the essential functions of the position.
Successfully complete all City and Department selection, background, and post-offer requirements applicable to sworn law enforcement personnel.
Maintain all licenses, certifications, qualifications, and mandatory retraining required for continued service as a Florida law enforcement officer.
Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible full-time sworn law enforcement experience, including at least five (5) years of supervisory or command experience and at least two (2) years at the rank of Lieutenant or a substantially equivalent command-level classification.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, constitutional principles, court decisions, ordinances, and rules applicable to law enforcement.
Knowledge of modern policing principles and practices, criminal investigation, arrest and search procedures, evidence handling, report writing, traffic enforcement, emergency response, officer safety, and community policing.
Knowledge of Department and City policies, procedures, rules, and organizational expectations applicable to assigned work.
Ability to observe, assess, and analyze rapidly changing situations; identify lawful options; make sound decisions under stress; and clearly articulate the factual and legal basis for actions taken.
Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, orally and in writing, with persons from diverse backgrounds and in routine, emotional, hostile, or emergency circumstances.
Ability to prepare, review, and maintain accurate reports, records, electronic documentation, and case information.
Ability to establish and effective working relationships with coworkers, supervisors, City personnel, criminal justice partners, community members, elected and appointed officials, and the public.
Ability to operate police vehicles, radios, computers, body-worn camera systems, mobile technology, and other law-enforcement equipment and software.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team, follow lawful orders, accept accountability, maintain confidentiality, and adapt to changing operational priorities.
Skill in conflict resolution, de-escalation, interpersonal communication, customer service, and problem-solving.
Ability to demonstrate conduct consistent with the City and Department mission, vision, values, ethics requirements, and standards of professional conduct.
Comprehensive knowledge of law-enforcement administration, strategic leadership, organizational management, command accountability, policy development, and contemporary policing practices.
Knowledge of public-sector budgeting, procurement, personnel management, labor and employee relations, risk management, accreditation, emergency management, and intergovernmental coordination.
Ability to lead through multiple supervisory levels, establish organizational priorities, manage complex change, evaluate performance, and make high-consequence decisions with limited information and time.
Ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership, elected and appointed officials, criminal justice partners, community stakeholders, employees, and the public.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in criminal justice, public administration, organizational leadership, management, or a related field; graduate education is desirable.
Completion of a recognized command or executive-level law-enforcement leadership program.
Demonstrated experience directing a major patrol, investigative, support-services, professional-standards, or comparable law-enforcement division.
Advanced experience in budgeting, policy development, accreditation, emergency management, organizational change, strategic planning, or labor/employee relations.

Responsibilities

Perform the full duties and responsibilities of a sworn police officer whenever assigned or operationally required, regardless of rank, division, unit, or normal duty assignment.
Patrol assigned areas; respond to calls for service; protect life and property; preserve the peace; enforce federal, state, and local laws and ordinances; and take lawful enforcement action when appropriate.
Investigate criminal activity, suspicious circumstances, traffic crashes, and other incidents; interview victims, witnesses, and suspects; identify, collect, protect, and document evidence; and prepare complete and accurate reports.
Detain, search, arrest, transport, and restrain persons when legally authorized, and use only the level of force objectively reasonable and consistent with law, policy, and training.
Operate police vehicles in routine and emergency conditions, including emergency response and pursuit when authorized; direct and enforce traffic; and assist motorists and members of the public.
Pursue fleeing suspects, conduct searches of persons, vehicles, buildings, and areas when legally authorized, and participate in rescue, evacuation, and emergency operations.
Exercise sound independent judgment when determining reasonable suspicion, probable cause, enforcement options, officer-safety measures, and appropriate courses of action.
Provide constitutional, unbiased, and professional police services; safeguard the rights and dignity of all persons; and use de-escalation and sound communication practices whenever feasible.
Engage residents, businesses, visitors, and community partners; identify recurring public-safety or quality-of-life concerns; and participate in collaborative problem-solving and crime-prevention efforts.
Testify in court, depositions, administrative proceedings, and other official forums; present facts clearly and accurately; and maintain the integrity of reports, evidence, and official records.
Maintain proficiency with firearms, less-lethal systems, emergency vehicle operations, defensive tactics, communications equipment, information systems, and other assigned equipment.
Respond during critical incidents, disasters, civil disturbances, severe weather, special events, and other emergencies, and perform duties within the Incident Command System or other established command structure as assigned.
Comply with Department policies, City rules, lawful orders, training requirements, records requirements, safety practices, and applicable accreditation standards.
Uphold rigorous standards of integrity, accountability, discipline, ethical conduct, professionalism, and public trust.
Direct a major division, bureau, or Department-wide function; establish priorities, objectives, performance expectations, and accountability systems consistent with Department and City goals.
Lead, supervise, and evaluate Lieutenants, Sergeants, professional staff managers, and other assigned personnel; develop command staff and ensure consistent supervisory practices throughout the assigned command.
Plan and direct staffing, deployment, organizational structure, scheduling, equipment, facilities, technology, and other resources necessary to support effective police operations.
Oversee significant criminal investigations, critical incidents, emergency operations, major events, civil disturbances, mutual-aid responses, and other complex operations; assume or assign command responsibilities as appropriate.
Review significant uses of force, pursuits, complaints, injuries, vehicle crashes, risk events, internal administrative matters, operational failures, and other incidents requiring senior command oversight; ensure appropriate corrective action and organizational learning.
Develop, review, and implement policies, procedures, strategic initiatives, operational plans, performance measures, accreditation requirements, and quality-assurance systems.
Prepare, administer, and monitor assigned budgets; prioritize capital and operating needs; oversee procurement and contracts; and ensure responsible stewardship and accountability for public resources.
Analyze crime, calls for service, workload, staffing, response, enforcement, community feedback, risk, and performance information to identify trends and direct data-informed improvements.
Participate in recruitment, selection, promotion, succession planning, training, employee development, labor and employee-relations matters, discipline, and organizational change initiatives as assigned.
Coordinate major initiatives with other Department commands, City leadership, Fire Rescue, criminal justice agencies, schools, businesses, community organizations, and regional partners.
Represent the Department before City officials, community groups, professional organizations, media or public forums when authorized, and other governmental or law-enforcement entities.
Serve as acting executive command officer when designated and provide recommendations to the Chief of Police and executive leadership on policy, operations, staffing, budget, risk, and organizational priorities.