What are the responsibilities and job description for the Academy Director position at City of Glendale (AZ)?
Shaping the future of public safety by leading the training, culture, and development of tomorrow’s law enforcement professionals
$102,797.00 - $154,195.00
Salary Range Effective June 27, 2026
Benefits | City of Glendale, AZ
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Important Note
All Academy Director applicants must submit a brief 1–2 paragraph professional bio with their application.
Your bio should highlight your background, key strengths, and areas of professional focus.
Your bio should highlight your background, key strengths, and areas of professional focus.
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All communication throughout the selection process including testing invitations will be sent by E-Mail. Please ensure you provide a valid E-Mail address on your application and check it regularly for updates.
About our City
Located on the west side of the Phoenix metropolitan area, Glendale is a vibrant and culturally diverse city of more than 255,000 residents. The community blends historic charm with modern growth and is a premier destination for sports, shopping, and entertainment - home to world-class venues, year-round events, and a thriving atmosphere that continues to evolve.
About our Department
The Glendale Police Department proudly serves this dynamic community with a team of 458 sworn officers and 166 professional staff. Our agency operates across three bureaus and six divisions - Administrative Services, Special Operations, Criminal Investigations, Support Services, Gateway Patrol, and Foothills Patrol — working around the clock to keep Glendale safe.
About your Impact
Holds a key leadership role in overseeing the training and development of future law enforcement officers. Responsible for the development of a solid training and learning platform, academy culture, and standard operating policies and procedures to ensure the graduating recruit is well prepared for the next and most important phase of their law enforcement training, the field training program.
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For recruiting updates, testing information, tips, and videos to help you through the process, follow us online:
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- Oversees all academy staff, instructors, and support personnel.
- Develops strategic plans for curriculum, recruitment, and academy growth.
- Manages daily operations, including budgets, scheduling, and reporting.
- Ensures classes meet legal, procedural, and community-policing standards.
- Recruits, trains, and evaluates instructors and administrative personnel.
- Adheres to the state policing standards, AZPOST—Peace Officer Standards and Training, under their AZ Administrative Rules.
- Designs, approves, and updates training programs outside of POST curriculum.
- Ensures all training aligns with legal, ethical, and procedural guidelines.
- Maintains impartiality, integrity, and professionalism at all times.
- Avoids conflicts of interest and upholds transparency in academy operations.
- Is answerable to governing agencies, police departments, or boards.
- Ensures financial responsibility and lawful use of academy resources.
- Protects sensitive recruit, personnel, and training data.
- Handles internal investigations discreetly and lawfully in accordance with established policies and procedures.
- Maintains a safe and supportive training environment that protects the physical and psychological well-being of recruits.
- Enforces safety protocols for firearms, defensive tactics, physical fitness, and scenario-based training.
- Resolves conflicts and ensures staff performance meets expectations.
- Monitors recruit performance, including academic, physical, and ethical conduct.
- Enforces academy rules and handle disciplinary actions when necessary.
- Serves as the point of contact with police departments, AZPOST, government agencies, and the public.
- Represents the academy in law enforcement associations or public meetings.
- Creates and enforces internal policies regarding operations, conduct, and training.
- Stays current on evolving law enforcement issues and integrate them into training.
- Conducts or oversees research on law enforcement best practices in the academy setting.
- Manages grant writing and funding opportunities.
- Organizes public or community outreach initiatives (e.g., recruit-community engagement).
- Operates city vehicles.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge of:
- Operations and methods of the specific area of assignment
- Teaching techniques and writing and design curricula
- Policies and restrictions of city involvement in outside programs and community standards sensitivity
- Principles and practices of Police, public, and government administration
Skill in:
- Designing, developing and presenting education classes utilizing projectors, audio-speakers, and video recording devices
Ability to:
- Write grants and award applications
- Interpret state and federal funding regulations and the impact to the City
- Administer and coordinate training and instruction in area of responsibility
- Write lessons plans, correspondence, schedules, and programs
- Communicate effectively both orally and in writing with employees and management
- Lead, direct and assign work to volunteers, staff, and project personnel
- Operate city vehicles
Special Requirements
- Valid AZ Driver’s License.
- AZPOST Specialist Instructor certification within one year of date of hire.
- Assist academy staff with curriculum instruction.
- This position is classified as safety-sensitive which requires candidates to successfully undergo drug and alcohol testing prior to employment. They will be subject to further drug and alcohol testing throughout their period of employment in accordance with the City of Glendale Substance Abuse policy. A post-offer physical assessment is required. The City of Glendale will incur the cost of all required testing.
Success Factor Classification Level - Professional/Supervisory
To view the success factor definitions please click here. (If needed, click here to download PDF reader).
This position 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 position change.
- Enters, exits, and operates city vehicles.
- Office setting requires extended periods of sitting and concentration
Applying in this recruitment does not preclude you from applying in other City of Glendale recruitments. If you are not selected for this position, you would need to reapply to receive consideration. Candidates will be notified by E-Mail of their standing in the recruitment process, including any limitations on reapplication.
Glendale is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity at all levels of the workforce.
Applicants may obtain a copy of the City of Glendale's EEOP Utilization Report eeo-is-the-law-screen-reader-ver.pdf or upon request from the City of Glendale's Human Resources & Risk Management Office.
Applicants may obtain a copy of the City of Glendale's EEOP Utilization Report eeo-is-the-law-screen-reader-ver.pdf or upon request from the City of Glendale's Human Resources & Risk Management Office.
Salary : $102,797 - $154,195