The Assistant Police Chief work involves overseeing the daily operations of the Department and assisting the Police Chief in developing and carrying out the vision for the Department. Work is performed in conjunction with and in assistance to the Police Chief. Work is independent and requires a high level of responsibility and decision making. Work is performed under the general direction of the Police Chief and is evaluated through goal achievements, strategies, and review of accomplishments.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE POSITION.

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Assists the Police Chief in the planning, organization and direction of the activities and personnel of the Department. Participates in the development and monitoring of operations, procedures and goals.

Manages, coordinates, and reviews the work of assigned staff; assigns work activities and coordinates schedules, projects, and programs.

Provides constructive feedback, reviews, and evaluates work. Makes suggestions and recommendations.

Supervises, coaches, trains, and motivates staff through training. Manages the employment and hiring process and employee relations for assigned area.

Manages the workflow and prioritization of assigned projects; reviews and approves staff, operational and criminal case reports; meets regularly with staff to discuss priorities and resolve workload and technical issues; takes appropriate corrective actions when necessary.

Provides advice and counsel to staff, develops or assists with developmental work/strategic plans for staff and makes recommendations and/or implements corrective actions, and discipline and termination procedures as appropriate/necessary or as directed.

Investigates, resolves and mediates administrative, inter-agency and operational inquiries and complaints; negotiates and resolves sensitive, significant and controversial issues; evaluates and coordinates the resolution of labor relations and community relations issues.

Coordinates the development of law enforcement strategies to meet City goals and objectives; determines the scope and priorities of programs and special projects. Recommends and implements changes and improvements to existing programs, policies, and procedures; assures effective communication of Police Department issues.

Manages critical incidents and criminal investigations; responds to major crime scenes and takes command when appropriate.

Assumes command of departmental activities in the Chief’s absence and plans, organizes and directs the activities and operations with assigned functions ensuring the furthering of the Department’s goals.

Serves as part of the Department’s and City’s management team by working cooperatively with other Department Heads, staff, Elected Officials and the City Attorney.

Prepares a variety of reports, memorandums, and evaluations. Responds to phone and e-mail inquiries from both internal and external customers.

Communicates with other City administration, personnel and outside organizations regarding crime prevention and law enforcement administration and resolves sensitive issues and public concerns.

Reviews policy and draft recommendations for the Police Chief; investigates complaints accusations against staff. Communicates with the Chief regarding confidential matters from within and outside the Department including personnel, operational or political issues; resolves issues in a timely manner.

Provides operational leadership to assure standards are met for productivity, efficiency, continuous quality improvement, customer satisfaction and teamwork.

Performs work within scope of authority and training, and in compliance with policies and quality standards, monitors assigned operations and assures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and policies.

Interprets policies and procedures and assures the consistent application of rules and regulations.

Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, client records and City information; performs related duties as required or assigned.

Maintains ability to perform all the essential duties of the rank of Police Officer.

Attends City Council, Board of Public Works and Safety, Merit Board, and other meetings as needed to present information and recommendations; serves on relevant committees.

Maintains comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable laws and regulations; maintains awareness of new trends and advances in law enforcement techniques and tools; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; attends conferences and training.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES. Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff. Provides information, advice, and managerial and professional expertise.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES. Ability to inspire and focus team members on aligning with the City of La Porte’s mission, vision and values.

Ability to function in a director capacity for a major organizational unit requiring significant internal and external interaction.

Ability to positively promote the image of the City of La Porte Police Department. Broad understanding of the law enforcement function and its role in the community.

Ability to coordinate, review, classify, prioritize, and analyze data. Ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, advisory and design data and information to make sound professional, managerial, and technical decisions.

Ability to organize and direct work of self and others, and to apply principles of persuasion and influence over others in a leadership capacity.

Ability to manage or coordinate multiple tasks or activities simultaneously and set priorities to meet deadlines.

Ability to exercise discretion in identifying and selecting from alternative courses of action.

Ability to exercise discretion in the use of force and law enforcement powers.

Ability to build consensus and/or to issue authoritative orders as circumstances dictate.

Ability to provide guidance, assistance, and interpretation regarding the application of procedures and standards to specific situations.

Ability to inform and guide others by applying professional principles of instruction.

Ability to communicate effectively on an individual or group basis and in public meetings; includes ability to speak and write clearly and to interact with members of the Department, other City departments and outside agencies to exchange information and resolve problems.

Ability to perform tasks in changing and stressful circumstances; includes ability to maintain control of emotions and actions and to make rapid decisions. Ability to maintain confidentiality of highly sensitive data.

Ability to operate a personal computer, utilizing word processing, spreadsheet, database management, incident reporting, vehicle and criminal records and other software applications as may be necessary to perform essential job functions.

Ability to operate police vehicles and specialized equipment, including radio and in-car computer; ability to operate vehicle at high speeds during emergency responses or pursuits.

Ability to utilize a variety of tools, equipment and supplies associated with law enforcement activities, including any or all of the following: pistol, shotgun, taser, baton, pepper spray, radio, portable breath test and radar gun.

Ability to effectively employ and maintain proficiency with a variety of Department-issued firearms and less lethal weapon systems.

Ability to exert moderate, though not constant, physical effort, typically involving some combination of reaching, stooping, walking, and climbing, and the lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials weighing at least 20 pounds.

Ability to make a forcible arrest. Ability to be on 24-hour call for major incidents.

Performance of essential functions may require life-or-death decisions based on circumstances beyond incumbent’s control; decisions may affect the general public and co-workers as well as incumbent.

WORK ENVIRONMENT. The work environment characteristics 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.

Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions. Major incidents or events may involve exposure to severe weather, temperature and noise extremes, traffic hazards, violence, toxic agents, disease, or pathogenic substances. The noise level in the work environment varies from quiet to extremely loud depending on the situation that the employee is confronted with.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS. Bachelor’s degree preferred, with emphasis in criminal justice, police administration, public administration, business administration or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position.

Fifteen (15) to twenty (20) years of law enforcement experience preferred that includes progression from officer to first line management, middle management, and upper management.

Must possess and maintain a valid Indiana Driver’s License.

This position is an appointment of the Mayor.

Applications and resumes will be accepted from January 8 through January 12, 2024 at www.cityoflaporte.com/jobs, Indeed.com, or in person at Mayor Dermody's Office or Human Resources, 801 Michigan Ave., La Porte, IN 45350.

The City of La Porte is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

The City of La Porte is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, military or veteran status, disability, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are a drug-free workplace and conduct pre-employment drug testing and background screening as a condition of employment.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $77,250.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person