Chief of Police

Job Summary

The Chief of Police is a professional and administrative position responsible for planning, organizing and directing activities of the Lowell Police Department and to ensure effective enforcement of Laws and Ordinances. The Chief of Police works under the direction of the Lowell City Mayor. This position is governed by law enforcement procedures, state and federal laws and department policy.

Duties

• Establishes and maintains a good working relationship with the public, both commercial and general; works as liaison between City Government and the Police Department; manages the daily operations of the Police Department; supervises department personnel; develops and implements policies and procedures governing the operation of the Police Department; ensures compliance with policies by establishing and overseeing training programs for all department personnel; interprets policies; monitors performances; establishes disciplinary procedures; counsels officers and takes appropriate disciplinary actions; and interviews and hires new department personnel.
• Establishes department priorities for enforcement of laws and ordinances; develops new programs to meet departmental priorities; reviews court decisions and changes in legislation affecting Police Department operations; changes department policies and procedures to comply with legal requirements.
• Prepares departmental goals and objectives and compiles departmental budget for review by the Mayor and City Council; monitors departmental expenditures to ensure compliance with approved budget; reviews daily incident reports from department personnel to monitor daily operations and provide the Mayor with timely briefings; and maintains personnel records for all officers.
• Patrols businesses and residential areas using an equipped patrol car; assists motorists and enforces motor vehicle and criminal laws, including issuing citations and making arrests; books, guards and escorts prisoners; deals with juvenile offenders and coordinates efforts with other law enforcement agencies.
• Responds to and investigates calls for service; protects crime scenes; collects and protects evidence; interviews victims, witnesses and suspects; takes reports from the general public and businesses; investigates conditions and causes of accidents; prepares accident reports; directs traffic and controls activities in disaster areas; and performs community policing by making contacts with business owners and residents.
• Oversees and conducts investigations of major drug cases and major crimes; writes affidavits for arrest and search warrants; serves arrest and search warrants; writes reports and presents investigative findings and evidence to the prosecuting attorney for prosecution; meets with the prosecuting attorney to prepares cases for trial; and maintains proper documentation in case and intelligence files.
• Communicates with individual citizens in person and by telephone on a daily basis; and speaks to school and civic groups.
• Testifies in court when necessary to assure conviction of violators.
• Performs other related duties as required.

WORK RELATIONSHIPS :

The Chief of Police has frequent contact with the Lowell City Mayor, department personnel, other law enforcement agencies, businesses, and the general public; and has occasional contact with City Council members, civic organizations and schools.

SPECIAL JOB DIMENSIONS:

The position involves regular and irregular hours needed to manage police services. Work hours may be extended in the event of emergency, disaster, manpower shortage, work load, or work-in-progress. Potential exposure to danger is possible, and the carrying of a firearm is required. This is a “Safety Sensitive” position.

Skills

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of human resource and organizational management.
• Knowledge of law enforcement administration practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of department standard operating procedures.
• Knowledge of supervisory practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of general budgetary and fiscal procedures.
• Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of lower-level managers, supervisors, and subordinates
• Ability to plan departmental objective and operational activities.
• Ability to estimate cost, time, manpower, equipment, and material to support current or planned operations.
• Ability to prepare detailed reports and narratives and to make oral presentations to large groups.
• Ability to prepare and present budget requests.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

• Must be a citizen of the United States.
• Possess a valid Arkansas drivers license.
• The formal educational equivalent of a high school diploma, plus two years college.
• Served at least eight years as a Law Enforcement Officer with a minimum of three years in a supervisory capacity.

Other job related education and/or experience may be substituted for all or part of these basic requirements upon approval of the Lowell City Mayor.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS :

Certified as a Law Enforcement Officer by the Arkansas Law Enforcement Standards Commission as established by Arkansas Code 12-9-204.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Benefits:

• 457(b)
• Dental insurance
• Dependent health insurance coverage
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person