CHIEF OF POLICE VACANCY
The City of Bonifay is seeking proposals for City of Bonifay Police Chief of the Bonifay Police Department.
Salary will be negotiated.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Police Chief plans, coordinates, and directs the activities of the Police Department, manages resources and establishes departmental goals and objectives while delivering efficient and effective public safety services to the community. The Police Chief oversees the administration and operations of the Police Department.
POSITION CONTEXT:
The position of Police Chief is a sworn, department head level position and key member of the Leadership Team, who reports directly to the Mayor of the City of Bonifay. The position is a full-time exempt position which requires frequently working and attending meetings outside of regular business hours including weekends and evenings. The position routinely handles highly sensitive and/or confidential information and requires the ability to make difficult decisions under periods of extreme stress. This position is a highly visible position that collaborates regularly with City staff, elected officials, committee members, partnering agencies, and the community at large.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Manages the overall administration and operations of the Police Department. Advises and develops staff to ensure continual professional growth in related disciplines. Oversees and evaluates the performance of departmental staff.
- Subject to review and approval of the Mayor, establishes goals, direction, and activities of the department. Develops and implements departmental policies, administrative rules and regulations governing personnel, standards of performance, operational procedures and other activities. Implements short and long-term plans to achieve City initiatives in response to community, safety, and emergency needs.
- Directs the development, administration, and review of the departmental annual budget. Forecasts needs, allocates funds to divisions based on departmental goals and priorities, monitors, and approves expenditures within the parameters of the approved departmental budget, and recommends adjustments as needed. Ensures applications for grants from federal, state, and other agencies are consistent with authorized departmental appropriations.
- Maintains liaison with the Bonifay City Council in the recruitment, selection, promotion of police officers. Participates and makes recommendations in personnel matters relating to disciplinary action of police personnel and ensures review with the Bonifay City Council and the Mayor as required.
- Engages and interacts with other criminal justice agencies with common jurisdiction to ensure that criminal justice goals are consistent. Serves as a liaison to developers of industrial, business, and commercial areas regarding law enforcement needs.
- Oversees the preparation of the Police Department annual report, state crime reports, and other reports as needed.
- Represents the City and makes public presentations to community and neighborhood groups, social service agencies, etc. upon request. Coordinates communication to news media.
- Proposes and advises the Mayor of the practicality and impact of proposed ordinances and resolutions.
- Assesses community crime prevention and traffic safety needs. Investigates new methods, technologies, laws, and programs to strengthen and improve current levels of service. Recommends new or revised programs and activities.
- Advises and assists in complex criminal or other investigations as required. May assume direct command of forces in emergency situations or major law enforcement operations as needed.
- Administers labor relations, internal review and legal issues ensuring department operations are consistent with current laws and regulations.
- Works closely with the Mayor, City Clerk, City Council, other City departments and various citizen groups to develop police and community programming to achieve required results.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
- Extensive knowledge of the principles, standards, and practices of modem police administration and police management.
- Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures as applied to patrol, traffic control, and criminal investigations, crime prevention, and records management.
- Advanced knowledge of federal, state, county and city ordinances related to public safety.
- Ability to interact effectively with youth and adults from diverse social and economic backgrounds.
- Ability to direct the work of others while leading and motivating a team.
- Ability to develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with all levels of staff, management, elected officials, outside law enforcement agencies and general public while maintaining a high level of social awareness for professional engagement.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to analyze complex issues and make sound recommendations.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills. Must have the ability to communicate and facilitate effectively with diverse audiences.
- Ability to research, analyze and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
- Ability to analyze financial, budgetary, administrative, legal and organizational data to recommend appropriate action.
- Must have the ability to maintain professional composure and take reasonable action when confronted with difficult situations.
- Ability to multi-task and work under pressure with interruptions and within short timeframes.
- Ability to maintain highly confidential/sensitive information and work independently while exercising good judgement and initiative.
- Ability to learn the city geography, demographics, and population pattern.
- Ability to drive to various municipal buildings, city locations, etc.
- Ability and willingness to respond to situations twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in criminal justice, law enforcement, public administration or closely related field is desired.
- Must be a certified Law Enforcement Officer in the State of Florida in accordance with F.S.S. 943.13. or able to be certified within 6 months of hire.
- Valid driver's license.
Experience:
- A minimum of ten (10) years in law enforcement supervisory experience including drug investigation and enforcement activities, community relations, multi-jurisdictional activities, university community or similar environmental experience.
- Demonstrated progressive promotion and advancement in responsibilities and rank. A minimum of three (3) years of law enforcement supervisory experience required at the sergeant level or equivalent.
- Prior experience working in a rural community strongly desired.
- Strong working knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint) required. Ability to gain proficiency departmental systems and enterprise systems required.
EQUIPMENT USED:
- General office equipment including computers, laptops, scanners, copier, and cellular phones.
- Police equipment including police radios, motor vehicles, including squad cars and trucks; first aid equipment; chemical sprays; cameras; video equipment; drug-testing kits; handguns; shotguns; rifles; TASERs; handcuffs; etc.
The City of Bonifay is an Equal Opportunity Employer.