Description

Ohio's borders are within 500 miles of roughly 60 percent of the country's population and manufacturing infrastructure, making the Dayton area a logistical center for manufacturers, suppliers, and shippers. Dayton also hosts significant R&D in fields of industrial aeronautical and astronautical engineering that have led to many technological innovations. Much of this innovation is due in part to Wright Patterson AFB and its place in the community. With the decline of heavy manufacturing, Dayton's businesses have diversified in the service economy that includes insurance and legal sectors as well as healthcare and government sectors. Quality of life, affordability and a great place to live and raise a family are common themes of new residents to the area. Some of the greater Dayton area’s major employers include: Wright Paterson Air Force Base, Taylor Communications, Premier Health Partners, CareSource, Dayton Children’s Hospital, University of Dayton, Wright State University, Sinclair Community College, Reed Elsevier/LexisNexis and many health providing institutions. Dayton is a well-planned, well-run, economically transitioning city with a council-manager form of government.

2019 marked a challenging year where an outbreak of Memorial Day tornados became the worst natural disaster since the 1913 floods. In August of the same year, an Oregon District shooter was stopped by Dayton Police seconds after shooting began, in some cases charging the shooter in just bicycle gear, undoubtably saving many lives.  Later in the year, six Dayton police officers received the Medal of Valor from the President.

On the heels of a particularly difficult year, unprecedented cooperation between the City and the community have brought about the desire to continue the momentum and take advantage of the timing of an historic social awakening with respect to social reform and the future direction of public safety and community policing.

The City of Dayton is located in Southwestern Ohio and is the county seat and largest city of Montgomery County. Dayton is Ohio's sixth largest city with a population of 140,569 (2019 census) and greater Dayton has a population of 803,416. Dayton is situated just north of the Cincinnati metropolitan area.

Dayton plays host to significant industrial, aerospace, and technological/engineering research activity and is known for the many technical innovations and inventions developed there. The city was the home of the signing of the Dayton Peace Accords, which brought an end to the war in Bosnia. The Wright brothers, poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, and entrepreneur John H. Patterson were born in Dayton.

Dayton was one of the first large cities in the country to adopt and operate under a Commission-Manager form of local government since 1913. Dayton is a well-run city with a reputation for good government. The City’s governing body is made up of five members, a mayor and four commissioners, elected at-large for four-year, overlapping terms. The Dayton City Commission serves as the policy making body for the City of Dayton and is entrusted by the City Charter to pass ordinances, adopt resolutions and appoint the City Manager. Dayton City government provides a full range of services including police, fire, EMS, street maintenance, waste collection, building inspection, water and supply treatment, sewer maintenance, wastewater treatment, recreation, municipal courts, an international airport, and a general aviation airport. The City of Dayton is comprised of 15 departments employing over 1800 employees. The City’s General Fund budget FY2021 totals approximately $150 million.

In 2019, Dayton was ranked by Site Selection magazine as the number one mid-size metropolitan area in the nation for economic development and was named best places in the US for college graduates to find a job.

Additional Information about the City of Dayton can be found at: www.daytonohio.gov

Requirements

Ten (10) plus years command experience in a large municipal police department is required. Candidates must have a proven track record working effectively in an ethnically and culturally diverse population. The ideal candidate will have a track record of interacting positively with the community at large and a history of developing and implementing innovative crime reduction strategies. Excellent communication skills expected and a history of effectively interacting with media, community stakeholders and elected officials.

Education

A Bachelors’ Degree from an accredited college is required. A Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration or Criminal Justice may be substituted for two (2) years of management level experience. Advanced training with Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) or similar, preferred. Bilingual skills, a plus

With a 2020-2021 budget of $57 million, the Dayton Police Department (DPD) is one of the leanest and most efficiently run Police Agencies in the state. The Department employs 368 sworn officers and 39 civilian employees. Under the steady hand of the former chief who retired in July 2021, DPD has continued to proudly serve the Dayton community. That relationship has grown to include close collaboration on police reform resulting in the acceptance of 142 reform recommendations by the City Commission, in June 2020. This reform effort is now in the implementation phase under the guidance of community based advisory groups working in cooperation with the Office of the City Manager and the Dayton Police Department.

The Position:

The Director and Chief of Police (“Director and Chief” or “Chief of Police”) plans, organizes and directs the Dayton Police Department to achieve optimum services for the citizens of the City of Dayton and for the protection of life and property, within the framework of the City Charter and in compliance with all Federal, State and Local laws. The Chief of Police carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. The incumbent must maintain a thorough knowledge of administrative policies and procedures, standard operating guidelines/procedures.

Community Outreach

Multiple outreach efforts with the community, sworn officers and key stakeholders prompted discussion around the desired qualities of the next Chief. The following themes were shared:

• Servant Leader, Accountable, Good listener and responsive, A philosophy of openness
• Forward Thinking; Progressive; Authentic; Open-minded; Empathic; Respectful; Honest, Ethical
• Leads by example; Inspirational; Adept at motivating change
• Relationship and Consensus builder; Inclusive
• Track record of displaying moral and political courage to “do what’s right”
• Demonstrated history of progressive policing practices and new approaches to community policing and engagement
• Displays appropriate cultural competence while navigating individual differences
• Public facing, strong track record of building strong and genuine connections with the community, open, honest, and transparent
• Track record of promoting diversity in department; Holds staff accountable
• Reform-minded; Balanced in understanding needs of department and community; History of innovative police training
• History of building relationships with surrounding jurisdictions

To be Considered

We fully respect the need for confidentiality of information supplied by interested parties; however, prospective candidates should be aware that any applications or resumes submitted for this opportunity are subject to the Ohio Public Records Act and may be disclosed. Reference contacts will not be made until mutual interest has been established. The client organization we represent, and Waverly Partners firmly support the principle and philosophy of equal opportunity for all individuals, regardless of race, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability.

Interested candidates should send a resume/CV to Waverly Partners, the executive search firm retained by the City of Dayton at DaytonCOP@waverly-partners.com

Ted W. Plattenburg                                    OR                   Heidi G. Milosovic

Managing Director                                                            Managing Director & Principal

Waverly Partners                                                        Waverly Partners

Cell: (513) 260-3189                                                          Office: (440) 355-6629

E-Mail:  tplattenburg@waverly-partners.com                      E-Mail:  hmilosovic@waverly-partners.com