Police Chief- Sycuan Tribal Police Department

Syucan•El Cajon, CA

About The Position

The Tribal Police Chief serves as the senior law enforcement executive of the Sycuan Tribal Police Department. The Chief provides strategic vision, executive leadership, and expert counsel to the Tribal Council on public safety, law enforcement operations, emergency preparedness and response, community engagement, intergovernmental relations, regulatory compliance, and protection of Tribal sovereignty. The role develops collaborative partnerships with Tribal, federal, state, and local agencies to advance public safety, strengthen community trust, and support the safety, security, and well-being of the Tribal community. The Chief leads department strategy and operations, maintains relationships with Tribal officials, members, employees, the public, and external agencies, and represents the department to government, community, regulatory, prosecutorial, and media stakeholders. The role oversees patrol, investigations, special units, and support services; departmental compliance, policies, accountability, and risk management; personnel development; emergency preparedness and response; budgets, grants, and resources; and the use of data to guide operations and crime-reduction strategies. The Chief is also expected to maintain a visible presence in the community and foster service-oriented, culturally aware, transparent, accountable, and collaborative policing. The position requires a bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience, ten years of qualifying law enforcement experience with progressive leadership responsibility, and graduation from a California POST-certified academy or an eligible academy with a California POST waiver. Desirable qualifications include Tribal policing experience and knowledge of Tribal sovereignty, governance, federal Indian law, SLEC requirements, and intergovernmental law enforcement agreements. The Chief directly supervises the Police Captain, Tribal Police Lieutenant, and Tribal Court Clerk/Police Administrative Assistant, and indirectly supervises sergeants, corporals, officers, and Police Service Officers.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
Ten years of experience with a California law enforcement agency or ten years of experience with the Sycuan Tribal Police Department, with progressive leadership responsibility.
Graduate of a California POST-certified academy, or a certified academy of another state or the federal government with a California POST waiver.
Strong knowledge of law enforcement principles, best practices, and community policing philosophies.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive community relationships.
Exceptional communication, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills.
Proficiency in budget management and resource allocation.
Familiarity with data analysis and technology applications in law enforcement.
Ability to adapt to changing situations, make informed decisions under pressure, and demonstrate ethical and moral leadership.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience working with a federally recognized Tribal Police Department.
Knowledge of Tribal sovereignty, Tribal governance, federal Indian law, Public Law 280, and jurisdictional considerations affecting Tribal law enforcement.
Knowledge of SLEC requirements, Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement policies, and intergovernmental law enforcement agreements.
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain collaborative partnerships with Tribal leadership, Tribal members, community stakeholders, and external law enforcement agencies.
Strong understanding of regulatory compliance, organizational accountability, and risk management practices applicable to Tribal public safety organizations.
Bilingual in Spanish and English.

Responsibilities

Maintain effective working relationships with Tribal officials, Tribal members, employees, the public, and external agencies; act as a liaison, resolve conflicts, and communicate issues requiring Tribal Council attention.
Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with federal, state, local, and Tribal public safety agencies and police associations.
Keep the department informed about emerging law enforcement trends, legislative changes, and best practices affecting Tribal policing, public safety, and community engagement.
Promote service-oriented policing that emphasizes trust, transparency, accountability, cultural awareness, and collaborative problem-solving.
Build and maintain relationships with Tribal and community leaders, organizations, and residents.
Maintain a visible and approachable presence in the Tribal community, including engagement with Tribal members, Elders, youth, community groups, and other stakeholders.
Develop initiatives to strengthen relationships between the department and the community and enhance public confidence in law enforcement services.
Collaborate with internal departments and community partners on educational, outreach, and engagement events, including Coffee with a Cop and holiday toy drives.
Provide a police presence at major public events to support public safety and implement community-oriented policing practices.
Monitor and direct department activities, manage expenses, and assume command of major or sensitive incidents.
Oversee patrol, investigations, special units, and support services.
Ensure compliance with applicable Tribal, federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, standards, and reporting requirements, including SLEC and Bureau of Indian Affairs requirements and relevant agreements.
Establish systems of accountability, risk management, operational review, and continuous improvement; develop and enforce departmental policies, procedures, and standards.
Allocate resources to support effective department operations.
Recruit and select qualified employees; direct command staff; evaluate performance; initiate corrective action; oversee performance reviews; and approve subordinate supervisors' salary or disciplinary decisions.
Recommend strategies to strengthen talent attraction, employer branding, and long-term workforce development.
Foster continuous learning, professional development, and accountability; mentor and guide command staff and officers.
Coordinate responses to emergencies, disasters, and critical incidents, ensuring communication and collaboration with other agencies and departments.
Represent Sycuan through engagement with the Tribal Emergency Response Commission and collaborate on emergency preparedness, response planning, and public safety initiatives.
Develop and implement emergency preparedness plans and protocols consistent with Tribal Council directives.
Develop and manage the department budget and make fiscally responsible resource-allocation decisions.
Identify and support grant funding and other external resources for operations, training, recruitment, equipment, and special initiatives.
Use data and analytics to assess crime trends, allocate resources, develop crime-reduction strategies, and improve operational efficiency and effectiveness.
Represent the department in interactions with Tribal leadership, governmental agencies, community organizations, and media representatives.
Serve as the primary liaison to external regulatory, prosecutorial, and public safety organizations, including the BIA, FBI, DOJ, U.S. Attorney's Office, and local District Attorney's Offices.
Participate in regional law enforcement associations, public safety committees, chiefs' associations, and interagency task forces to advance collaborative policing and represent Tribal interests.
Act as the department's official spokesperson, communicating professionally, transparently, and promptly during routine operations, community events, and critical incidents.
Cultivate strategic partnerships, grants, and external resources supporting departmental training, recruitment, equipment, and operations.