Police Chief

The job of the Police Chief involves responsible supervisory work directing the operations of the Police Department. The Police Chief has responsibility for planning, organizing, and directing the activities of the department within the concepts of community policing; consulting with officials to determine policy; supervising all police department employees; and interpreting and applying policies, rules, and regulations. Performance is measured by total results obtained.In addition to the duties and responsibilities required of all police officers, a Police Chief's responsibilities and duties will be as follows:

Administrative Direction:

• Organizes the department and assigns personnel.

• Ensures that all established departmental rules, regulations, and goals are adhered to and enforcement in an equitable manner.

• Monitors activities of the Police Department.

• Researches policies and procedures, as well as new developments in Police Department organization and management.

• Prepares the annual departmental budget, and presents same to the Mayor and City Council, with full justifications, for approval.

• Prepares specifications for all Police Department uniforms and equipment.

• Sets priorities and approves expenditures in accordance with adopted budget and specific line items.

Public Relations:

• Participates in television and radio interviews about Police Department issues.

• Holds news conferences and prepares news releases about crimes and occurrences within the City of Florence.

• Establishes a positive relationship with the news media and with community leaders.

• Speaks at civic functions as requested.

• Acts or designates specific personnel to act as the official spokesperson for the Police

Department. Personnel Management:

• Assists with interviews. Interviews all applicants for non-sworn positions (clerical and dispatch).

• Is responsible for training all personnel, sworn and civilian.

• Reviews performance evaluations.

• Holds all due process hearings for sworn and non-sworn police personnel on rule infractions, and determines if rules or policies have been violated and sets appropriate disciplinary action.

Other Duties:

• Coordinates public safety agencies at city-wide functions.

• Keeps abreast and completely informed with the progress of major felony investigations. Ensures that a police officer responds to all fire calls (as per law).

• Ensures that the joint city/County jail is run in accordance with established guidelines and policies.

• Investigates private investigator applicants, as well as prospective Fire Department, Ambulance Service, and Wrecker Service employees.

• Testifies before the Lauderdale County Grand Jury.

• Investigates liquor license applications.

• Hears and acts on citizen complaints.

• Investigates internal affairs complaints and reports on cases that are appealed to the Civil Service Board.

• Cooperates and assists as requested with the city attorney on cases involving the Police Department.

• Oversees the operation of the City's Animal Control Department and Park Police.

• All candidates must have a valid Alabama driver's license, or capable of obtaining a valid Alabama driver's license.

• All candidates must be certified by the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission within the first nine months of employment.

• All candidates must have a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible' law enforcement experience, to include supervisory and command-level law enforcement, management, and police administration.

• Four-year college degree in applicable field (law enforcement/criminal justice, sociology, social work, psychology, journalism/public relations, English, business administration, computer application, political science/pre-law, education, emergency medical services, foreign language).

• Master's Degree in one of the above fields preferred. Graduation from FBI National Academy desirable.

• Thorough to extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of modern police science and administration.

• Thorough to extensive knowledge of local, state, and federal laws.

• Thorough to extensive knowledge of the principles of organization, management, and supervision.

• Ability to direct police activities and maintain a high level of discipline and morale.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including computer literacy.

• Ability to concentrate and remain calm in stressful situations.

• Ability to understand instructions and to relay information quickly and accurately.

• Excellent decision-making skills.

• Ability to handle delicate situations in a discreet manner.

• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, other city departments, and the public.

• Demonstrated leadership skills and abilities.

• Demonstrated management skills.

• Demonstrated knowledge of departmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Additional requirements, such as testing or other assessment criteria, may be established by the Civil Service Board, and will be announced on the job posting.

Physical Demands: Must pass a psychological evaluation. Must pass a drug screen. Must be able to perform all the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Equipment/Tools Used: Must be capable of operating a computer system, a firearm, two-way radio equipment, and other law enforcement related equipment.

For similar job postings, applications may be used for up to ninety (90) days.

The City of Florence, Alabama is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage prospective and current employees to discuss accommodations with the employer.