TOWN OF NEW SHOREHAM
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Police Chief
Department: Public Safety
Reports To: Town Manager
Supervision Exercised: Exercises supervision over Public Safety Personnel directly or through subordinate supervisors
Summary of Duties and Responsibilities
The professional in this position performs complex supervisory, administrative and professional work in planning, organizing, directing and evaluating a small municipal department engaged in the protection of lives and property, the enforcement of laws and ordinances, the maintenance of public order and the provision of emergency services and other assistance to the public under the general guidance and direction of the Town Manager.
The community has a year round population of 1,000 + and a summer population of 20,000 +/- persons per day from June through August.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
· Administers and directs the activities of the Police Department; analyzes needs for police service, prepares plans and programs to meet needs; evaluates on-going programs and makes adjustments as appropriate; formulates departmental policy, regulations and work methods and procedures; assigns and reviews the work of subordinates; provides advice and guidance on difficult technical matters;
· Interviews and recommends the appointment of police officers, reserve officers and other departmental personnel;
· Develops, presents, manages and implements the department’s fiscal plan, annual operating and capital budgets; fiscal plan may include funds from the Town, other government agencies and others;
· Prepares a variety of studies, reports and related information for decision-making purposes; prepares departmental reports for the Town Manager;
· Issues written and oral instructions; assigns duties and examines work for exactness, neatness and conformance to policies and procedures;
· Evaluates evidence, witnesses, and suspects in criminal cases to correlate all aspects and to assess for trends, similarities, or for associations with other cases;
· Assures that personnel are assigned to shifts or working units which provide optimum effectiveness in terms of current situations and circumstances governing deployment;
· Coordinates the information gathered and work accomplished by various officers; assigns officers to special investigations as the needs arise for their specific skills;
· Develops departmental policy, managing, directing and coordinating directly or through others the department staff, scheduling programs and facilities;
· Attends Town Council and other meetings; advises the Town Manager and other officials on policy matters related to law enforcement; recommends changes to town ordinances;
· Maintains liaison with other law enforcement agencies, social service agencies and other agencies in the criminal justice system and community groups;
· Reviews licenses and permits requiring police approval;
· Knowledge of Police Accreditation
· Attends conferences and meetings to keep abreast of current trends in the field; represents the Town Police Department in a variety of local, county, state and other meetings;
· Meets with elected or appointed officials, other law enforcement officials, community and business representatives and the public on all aspects of the Department’s activities;
· Handles grievances, maintains Departmental discipline and the conduct and general behavior of assigned personnel;
· Performs all other related tasks as assigned by the Town Manager or as determined by the needs of the department.
Peripheral Duties
Directs investigation of major crime scenes.
Performs the duties of subordinate personnel as needed.
Analyzes and recommends improvements to equipment and facilities, as needed
Desired Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in police science, law enforcement, criminal justice, public administration or a closely related field and a minimum of seven (7) years of experience in police work, (3) three years of which must have been equivalent to police sergeant or higher, completion of the basic law enforcement training academy or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Capabilities
Thorough knowledge of modern law enforcement principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment; considerable knowledge of applicable laws, ordinances and department rules and regulations; Applicant must be well versed in community policing.
Ability to train and supervise subordinate personnel; ability to perform work requiring good physical condition;
Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with employees, other governmental agency representatives, Town officials and the general public.
Skill in the use of listed tools and equipment.
Special Requirements:
Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license without record of suspension or revocation in any state; ability to meet Department’s physical standards; basic law enforcement training certification or equivalent.
Tools and Equipment Used
Personal computer including word processing software
Police car, police radio, radar gun, handgun and other weapons as required, sidehandle baton, handcuffs, breathahlyzer, pager, first aid equipment.
One line or multi-line phone system
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, controls, or tools listed above; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Physical Environment/Working Conditions
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job, and which are normally found in a public safety setting. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Selection Guidelines
Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview(s) and reference checks; job related tests may be required. Applicants must pass pre-employment background check and obtain Rhode Island POST certification.
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 to or a logical assignment to the position.
The 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.
The Town offers excellent health, vacation and pension benefits. The salary for the Police Chief will be based upon qualifications and experience. To receive consideration for this position, submit a cover letter of interest, resume, and at least three professional references. Send information to Maryanne Crawford, CPA, Town Manager, P.O. Box 220, Block Island, RI 02807, electronically to [email protected] no later than February 12, 2021. EOE
