Police Chief

Town of Wrightsville Beach•Wrightsville Beach, NC

17h

About The Position

The Police Chief is the chief law enforcement executive responsible for the Police Department’s overall leadership, strategic direction, administration, and operational effectiveness. The role establishes departmental mission, goals, policies, and service priorities; directs law enforcement and support operations; administers budgets and resources; supervises sworn and civilian personnel; evaluates crime and traffic trends; maintains interagency partnerships; and builds community trust. The Chief exercises considerable independent judgment in routine, complex, sensitive, and emergency situations, subject to applicable law, municipal policy, and general direction from the Town Manager or another designated chief administrative officer. The position heads the Police Department and operates with substantial independence under general administrative direction. It supervises departmental personnel directly and through subordinate supervisors. Performance is evaluated based on results, operational effectiveness, legal and policy compliance, leadership, fiscal stewardship, reporting, and community relations. The position is intended to be exempt from Fair Labor Standards Act overtime provisions. Work takes place in office, vehicle, field, and emergency settings. The Chief may encounter severe weather, traffic, dangerous individuals, hazardous materials, loud noise, communicable diseases, and other conditions associated with law enforcement and emergency response. Irregular and extended hours, emergency response outside normal business hours, and availability for critical incidents and community events may be required. The position requires the ability to perform executive and, when needed, sworn law enforcement functions, including lifting or moving at least 50 pounds. Candidates must have considerable progressively responsible law enforcement experience, including substantial command, management, or administrative experience involving personnel, operations, budgeting, and organizational leadership. A bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field, together with at least five years of progressively responsible law enforcement administration or command experience, is required, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the duties. North Carolina law enforcement officer certification, or eligibility to obtain it within the municipality’s and state commission’s established period, is required. A valid driver’s license and ability to obtain a valid North Carolina driver’s license are also required. An advanced degree and specialized executive or command leadership training are preferred.

Requirements

Considerable progressively responsible law enforcement experience, including substantial command, management, or administrative experience involving personnel, operations, budgeting, and organizational leadership.
Thorough knowledge of modern law enforcement principles, investigative methods, crime prevention, emergency management, police administration, applicable federal and North Carolina laws, and local ordinances.
Ability to develop and implement strategic plans, evaluate programs and performance data, manage budgets and grants, and allocate personnel and equipment effectively.
Ability to lead, coach, mentor, supervise, and evaluate personnel; exercise sound judgment; resolve conflict; guide organizational change; and make timely decisions under pressure.
Ability to build effective working relationships with municipal officials, employees, law enforcement partners, community groups, and the public; communicate clearly and persuasively in writing and orally; and respond tactfully to sensitive concerns.
Ability to use relevant law enforcement, reporting, office, and financial management technology and prepare clear, accurate, thorough reports.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise discretion, uphold ethical standards, and ensure lawful and accountable departmental operations.
Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field, and at least five years of progressively responsible law enforcement administration or command experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential duties.
North Carolina law enforcement officer certification, or eligibility to obtain required certification within the period established by the hiring municipality and the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission.
Valid driver’s license and ability to obtain a valid North Carolina driver’s license as required by the municipality.
Ability to perform essential physical functions of executive administrative and, when required, sworn law enforcement duties, including standing, walking, sitting, reaching, lifting, grasping, speaking, and hearing.
Sufficient visual acuity, hearing, communication ability, and manual dexterity to review and prepare documents, use computers and communications equipment, operate a vehicle, assess incident scenes, and carry out essential responsibilities.
Ability to lift or move at least 50 pounds.
Ability to work irregular and extended hours, respond to emergencies outside normal business hours, and remain available for critical incidents and community events.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree.
Specialized executive or command leadership training, such as the FBI National Academy or Senior Management Institute for Police.

Responsibilities

Develop, implement, and evaluate the department’s mission, vision, strategic goals, policies, procedures, rules, performance standards, and operating methods in accordance with law and community needs.
Plan, organize, direct, and evaluate departmental operations and services, including patrol, criminal investigations, emergency response, and administrative support functions, as applicable.
Assess service demands, crime and accident patterns, staffing, deployment, schedules, operational readiness, and program performance; recommend improvements and service levels.
Direct and supervise sworn and civilian employees, directly and through subordinate supervisors; set expectations, assign responsibilities, evaluate performance, resolve workplace issues, and ensure accountability.
Oversee recruitment, selection, onboarding, training, professional development, succession planning, promotions, recognition, corrective action, and discipline in accordance with personnel policies and applicable laws.
Meet with command and supervisory staff to communicate priorities, coordinate operations, encourage collaboration, develop leadership, and obtain input.
Prepare, present, and administer operating and capital budgets; monitor expenditures and resources; assess equipment, technology, vehicle, and facility needs; and pursue and administer eligible grants.
Advise the Town Manager, governing board, and municipal officials on public safety, departmental operations, policy proposals, resources, emerging risks, and significant incidents; provide timely and accurate reports.
Oversee the receipt, review, investigation, or referral of complaints and allegations involving department personnel or services, ensuring fair, timely, and consistent resolution.
Develop, coordinate, and implement emergency operations and response plans; assume or delegate incident command as appropriate; coordinate responses to major incidents, disasters, special events, and unusual occurrences.
Coordinate law enforcement operations, mutual aid, crime prevention, and emergency activities with local, state, and federal agencies and municipal departments.
Direct the preparation, analysis, maintenance, and submission of required crime, accident, activity, personnel, budgetary, and other operational reports; use information to identify trends and guide decisions.
Build relationships with residents, businesses, schools, civic organizations, community groups, and other stakeholders; address public concerns, communicate departmental initiatives, and collaborate with other Town departments.
Represent the department at meetings, public forums, professional associations, boards, commissions, and committees; make presentations and participate in discussions of public safety laws, policies, and legislative matters.
Review departmental policies, training, documentation, records, evidence-handling practices, and procedures for compliance, effectiveness, professionalism, and risk management.
Promote ethical conduct, impartial enforcement, effective communication, respectful public service, a safe workplace, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Exercise law enforcement authority and, when necessary, respond personally to significant incidents or perform specialized enforcement functions consistent with certification, training, and departmental needs.
Perform other related duties as required.