Under direction from the Chief of Police, the Police Commander plans, directs, and coordinates the operational and administrative activities of assigned division(s) of the Santa Barbara Police Department including the daily operations of Sworn Officers, Sergeants, Lieutenants, and Civilian personnel; formulates and applies new approaches and techniques for effective law enforcement and crime prevention; and performs related duties as assigned. The Police Commander is a sworn management classification that has broad command responsibility within the Police Department. This position reports to an Assistant Police Chief or Chief of Police. Commanders are assigned to specific functional areas; duties and assignments are designated depending on the operational needs of the department. This position is distinguished from the Police Lieutenant by the greater scope of supervision and oversight of assigned area, direct line authority over subordinate personnel, and by the more complex managerial and administrative duties performed.

Knowledge of: Administrative procedures and responsibilities; departmental organization, philosophies, policies, procedures, rules and regulations. Personnel management practices and supervisory techniques; variety of police science specialties such as investigation, patrol operations, technical services, community policing, and department or division management, and 21st century policing concepts.

Experience/Education: 

License Requirements: 

All applicants are required to submit a City of Santa Barbara application and a resume to the City of Santa Barbara Human Resources Office by 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.

On Wednesday, June 5, 2024, all applications and resumes will be reviewed and rated on a pass/fail basis for minimum qualifications. Those who meet minimum qualifications will be invited to proceed in the recruitment with the Oral Board Interview.

2. Oral Board Presentation and Interview (Weighted 100%) Qualifying candidates will be invited to an external panel Oral Board Interview. The interview process will consist of a preparatory question which each candidate will be handed at the start of their designated interview time. Each candidate will have ten minutes to review the question and prepare a response which will be delivered to the panel in a presentation format. Each candidate will have five minutes to present their response to the panel. At the completion of the five-minute presentation, a series of interview questions will be asked by the panel. These questions will be based on, but not limited to, public safety, organizational and community awareness, decision making, interpersonal skills, oral communication skills, leadership and modern policing concepts. The entire interview process including the ten-minute presentation preparation time will be no longer than 35 minutes total in length.

Candidates receiving a passing score in the ORAL BOARD INTERVIEW process will have their names placed on an eligibility list valid for one (1) year. The eligibility list may be extended or exhausted sooner, in accordance with the City of Santa Barbara Municipal Code.

The Oral Board Interview is tentatively scheduled for Monday, June 10, 2024

3. Departmental Interview Candidates receiving a passing score in the ORAL BOARD INTERVIEW process will be invited to the departmental Chiefs interview. This process is tentatively scheduled for the week of June 24 through 28, 2024.

Study materials include: