Description
Chief of Police is an administrative and technical police position responsible for the protection of lives
and property through the supervision and direction of all municipal police personnel and activities. The
Chief ensures the delivery of core public safety services, maintains community visibility, trust and
responsiveness, and the operational effectiveness of the department. The Chief exercises considerable
independence in carrying out police operations; however, departmental plans and policies are
established in consultation with the City Administrator.
Requirements
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Deliver Core Public Safety Services
Ensure that all laws and ordinances are enforced and that public peace and safety are
maintained.
Be regularly visible in the community, address citizen concerns, and maintain a customer service
culture that results in a low volume of substantiated complaints.
Maintain state accreditation.
Maintain short patrol response times separated between priority and non-priority calls.
Maintain no gaps in patrol coverage; personnel are on-duty 24 hours per day.
Use creative, community-appropriate strategies to identify and solve recurring problems.
Ensure that patrol personnel are proactive, not reactive in daily routines.
Leadership
Provide clear vision and expectations for police department personnel.
Be present. Maintain a clear path of communication while adhering to chain of command
structure.
Be consistent and professional (yet approachable). Maintain a professional appearance and
decorum.
Use creativity and a personal touch to maintain high department morale. Seek opportunities to
enhance officer engagement.
Mentor senior leaders in the department. Hold them accountable to the highest standards.
Meet with elected or appointed officials, other law enforcement officials, community and
business representatives, and the public on aspects of the department’s activities.
Attend conferences and meetings to keep abreast of current trends in the field.
Develop and maintain working relationships with King County, Washington State, and neighboring departments, and participate in mutual aid task forces as appropriate.
Attend staff and community meetings regularly, including City Council, Public Safety committee meetings, and public hearings; make regular presentations to City Council.
Management
Plan, coordinate, and supervise operations of the department to achieve the department mission. Seek continuous improvement in police operations.
Formulate policies and regulations governing activities of the police department. Enforce department policies and standards equally and fairly.
Direct the development and maintenance of systems, records, and legal documents that provide for the proper evaluation, control, and documentation of police department operations.
Prepare and submit regular reports to the City Administrator and City Council regarding the department’s activities. Define and monitor specific departmental performance measures.
Ensure proper evidence handling and records management procedures are followed.
Organize the police department’s work plan; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; meet with key staff to identify and resolve problems.
Prepare and deliver written performance evaluations and necessary discipline of department personnel.
Approve the hiring or termination of department employees, subject to approval of the City Administrator following consultation with the Mayor.
Assure compliance with applicable collective bargaining agreements, labor laws, and human resource policies.
Maintain current training and certifications for all staff.
Budgeting
Prepare budget requests that are clear, concise, and tied to service needs and the city’s strategic plan, keeping limited city resources in mind.
Manage resources responsibly and transparently. Ensure overtime is justified and monitored.
Ensure that training aligns with actual department needs. Seek opportunities to obtain training through shared resources with other departments or hosted trainings.
Pursue grant opportunities when available.
Plan for and recommend improvements to equipment and facilities as needed.
Maintain vehicles and equipment in serviceable and presentable condition. Fully track and protect city assets.
Make purchases within the guidelines of city purchasing policies, including appropriate documentation to meet state audit requirements.
