JOB DESCRIPTION

Class Title:        Police Chief

Department:    Police

Location:          City of Hallowell

Date:                 Created January 13, 2020, updated February 20, 2023

 

NATURE OF WORK

This is responsible administrative and technical police work in the direction of all employees, and in all matters

of policy, operations, and discipline of the Police Department.

The Police Chief is responsible for the enforcement of all laws coming within the department's legal

jurisdiction, and the protection of lives and property through the supervision and administration of the

department.  This includes the planning of departmental work priorities, goals and methods of operation;

maintaining effective public relations; personnel administration, including disciplinary action; and development

and administration of department budget.

This employee is full-time, exempt and salaried with a minimum 40 hour work week.  This employee may often encounter long work days in peak seasons or during emergencies.  The Police Chief is expected to usually work a Monday through Friday daytime schedule.  However, our small Department occasionally requires the Chief to work nights or weekends on a patrol shift or training of young officers, so during some weeks the Chief might not be in or around the office every weekday.

 

SUPERVISION GIVEN AND RECEIVED

This employee works with general independence under the general direction of the City Manager, in accordance with the applicable laws and ordinances. Work is reviewed through daily contact and through reports, discussions and results achieved, along with performance reviews and goal setting with the City Manager.

For general administrative and policy direction, however, this employee works independently in supervising the Police Department. This employee provides working supervision for the Police Department in accordance with the applicable laws and ordinances.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Examples of Work (Illustrative Only):

Supervisory Responsibilities as a Department Head

This employee will work with the City Manager and other Department Heads to ensure that Citywide and department level goals and responsibilities are met, and that performance standards are maintained within the Department.  This employee will communicate effectively with the City Manager and other Department Heads, state, county, regional, and local officials, the general public, and the press to proactively inform citizens about matters related to City police activities and public safety, and other matters related to City business as needed.

This employee applies significant communication versatility ranging from one-on-one engagements to large group presentation skills. This employee chooses and designs processes for effective information flow and sharing. Communication includes considerable written documentation of records and documents.

This employee must be able to be reached by land line/cell phone during off-duty hours in case of emergency or unscheduled work. Most work is generally performed under this employee’s direct supervision, and independent decision making and interpretation of standard procedure may be necessary throughout the workday.

Responsibilities to the Police Department

• Formulates, implements, and modifies departmental policies, regulations, goals, and program priorities in consultation with the City Manager, and with the assistance of subordinate officers.
• Directs the formulation of work methods and procedures to be followed by Department members; inspects and appraises departmental activities and personnel; assigns or directs the assigning of departmental personnel.
• Takes necessary steps in modifying police operations to meet changing conditions.
• Plans and supervises the enforcement of traffic and safety regulations and programs of crime prevention and detection.
• Conducts and maintains effective public relations for the department.
• Plans and directs the development and supervises the maintenance of police records and statistics. Supervises the keeping of records of daily activities and events including all calls and complaints. Supervises the keeping of files on all arrests, juvenile cases, court cases, accident reports and stolen property reports.
• Fosters and encourages liaison between municipal, county, State and federal law enforcement agencies through mutual interchange of information and personal contacts.
• Attends meetings and seminars pertaining to law enforcement with federal, state and local law enforcement groups.
• Plans and supervises the preparation of the annual department budget request and the control of expenditures.
• Interviews applicants for appointment or promotion and conducts or participates in other phases of selection process.
• Plans and directs police training activities.
• Maintains a complete personnel file including attendance cards and a record of each officer's assigned duties, time off, vacations, and other relevant material.
• Is responsible for the necessary delegation of authority to subordinate officers, commensurate with their duties and responsibilities.
• Participates as needed in departmental labor relations including grievances, arbitration and negotiations and is responsible for departmental discipline.
• Provides for the investigation into all cases of alleged or apparent misconduct by departmental personnel and takes appropriate disciplinary action.
• The Chief oversees the regular training of officers on diversity, equity, inclusion, sexual harassment and responding to mental health needs in the community.
• The Chief demonstrates the department’s commitment to community engagement by maintaining an inviting presence at special events and through programs that affirm Hallowell’s residents, businesses and values.
• Performs related work as required.
• The Chief is required to reside within 20 miles by road of Hallowell City Hall.  (per our present personnel policy)

 

REQUIREMENTS OF WORK

This employee should possess knowledge of the organization and the role of this department.

Requirements of Work include but are not limited to the following:

• Thorough knowledge of the principles, standards, and practices of modern police administration and methods.
• Thorough knowledge of the accepted police principles and practices as applied to patrol, traffic control, criminal investigations, crime prevention communications, and records management.
• Considerable knowledge of the rules and regulations of the Police Department and of applicable Federal and State laws and Town ordinances.
• Ability to plan, lay out, and supervise the work of subordinates performing varied operations connected with police activities, to develop proper training and instructional procedures for these employees, and to maintain a high level of discipline and morale.
• Ability to analyze operational and administrative procedures and problems, to evaluate and balance community needs and expectations as to police activities, and to modify organizational procedures to meet changing conditions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other municipal officials, State and federal authorities and the general public.
• Working knowledge of the municipal budgeting process; ability to develop and administer a budget.
• Experience working with a Union organized labor force.
• Demonstrated ability to command the respect of officers and to assign, direct and supervise police functions.
• Ability to provide effective leadership for and maintain harmonious relationships in the Department.
• Ability to prepare and present effectively, oral and written information materials related to the activities of the police department.
• Considerable knowledge of modern office methods, practices, procedures, and equipment.
• Knowledge of business English and business mathematics, with ability to make math computations quickly and accurately.
• Ability to understand and follow complex oral and written directions.

 

Leadership/Teamwork:

This position requires the management of the operations of the Police Department. This position provides leadership and management as well as makes significant individual contributions to that department, and requires considerable coordination with other City departments, the City Manager, and the City Council. As a department head, this employee serves as a member of the City's management team.

This employee must have the ability to establish and maintain harmonious relationships with employees and the public, and to effectively obtain satisfactory work output.

Decision Making:

This position requires the ability to develop strategic plans and policies affecting a department and the organization as a whole, working within established statutory, regulatory, and policy guidelines. Decisions may be complex in nature and require cross-departmental or functional problem solving and analysis.

Relationships:

This position requires considerable contact with a wide range of individuals and groups, and is responsible for developing strategies for establishing and cultivating those relationships. This employee is responsible for assisting the City Council in the identification and development of policies and procedures. This employee is visible and accessible for the general public, municipal employees and municipal officials so as to have effective interaction.

 

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

1. Graduation from high school or GED / equivalent.
2. Progressively responsible police experience of at least 10 years, including supervisory or command experience; four-year college or university Degree in Law Enforcement or a related field; or any equivalent combination of experience and training.
    

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Must have graduated from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy "Basic School," have been waivered, or be eligible for such a waiver by the Academy.
2. Must possess and maintain a valid State issued motor vehicle operator’s license, have dependable transportation, and be insurable under the City of Hallowell’s vehicle insurance policy.
3. Must have flexible problem solving abilities and work well independently, in teams, and with the public.
4. Must have strong written and oral communication skills.

 

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Automobile; Computer, Printer and Mail Room Equipment; Cellular and Standard Phone; Law Enforcement Equipment

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by this 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.

Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment.

While performing the duties of this job, this employee is required to stand; walk; talk and hear; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. This employee is occasionally required to sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

This employee must occasionally lift and /or move up to 50 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.

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing 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, this employee frequently works in outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  This employee should expect to deal frequently with visibly and audibly energized residents and/or business-owners.

 

ACCEPTANCE AND AGREEMENT

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.

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