What are the responsibilities and job description for the Police Sergeant position at City of Reno, NV?
Description
This is an internal promotional opportunity for current City of Reno Police Officers who meet the minimum qualifications.
Under general supervision, a Police Sergeant is responsible for supervisory police work of average difficulty, commanding or assisting in the command of a team or unit.
The City of Reno is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to everyone. This commitment is an integral part of our efforts to ensure that we have a diverse and representative workforce that serves the community of Reno.
- Note: The salary and benefits associated with this position are subject to change at any time.
Examples of Essential Functions
- Plan, coordinate, prioritize, assign, supervise, review, and participate in the work of personnel on an assigned shift.
- Participate in administration of the department's budget, as well as grant allocations; submit recommendations; monitor expenditures; participate in other administrative functions as assigned.
- Monitor work activities to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures; participate in the development of policies and procedures; make recommendations for changes and improvements to existing policies and procedures.
- Conduct periodic staff (personnel inspections) and equipment inspections.
- Act as a liaison with other outside agencies, the public, and between management and subordinate personnel.
- Contact and coordinate with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the investigation of crimes and the apprehension of offenders, disaster preparedness, training, and information systems and police program management.
- Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public.
- Anticipate libelous situations; reduce or eliminate civil exposure.
- Answer questions from the public concerning local and state laws, procedures, and activities of the department; participate in community meetings, including oral presentations.
- Train and evaluate assigned personnel; provide training, guidance, and counseling to assigned personnel; complete employee performance evaluations and review as required; promote career development of staff.
- Participate in all normal shift activities as assigned, including enforcing local and state laws, issuing citations, making arrests, administering first aid; responding to hazardous materials incidents and complete necessary forms.
- Prepare regular and special reports.
- Coordinate and supervise special programs or projects as assigned.
- May be assigned a variety of administrative duties related to background and internal affairs investigations.
- Supervise and assist subordinates in follow-up investigations, including the gathering of evidence, questioning of witnesses, and apprehension of suspects.
- Supervise and participate in the preparation of reports for various cases, including cases going to trial; prepare supplemental reports as required; appear in court to present evidence and testimony as required.
- May coordinate the activities of sworn and civilian personnel in planning for and dealing with emergency and hazardous situations.
- Other assigned activities by the Chief of Police, Assistant Chief, or Police Lieutenant.
- Enforces departmental policies and procedures within the scope of authority.
Minimum Qualifications
The minimum qualifications of this position must be met by the date of examination (February 3, 2026).
Education:
Completion of a high school diploma or the equivalent.
Experience:
Five years as a confirmed Police Officer in the Reno Police Department.
License:
Possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license.
Conditions of Employment:
Candidates must be capable of meeting all physical requirements of the position at the time of promotion.
Note: Candidates can receive points added on to their final score for attaching a copy of their completed Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree, Intermediate P.O.S.T. and Advanced P.O.S.T. Applicants must attach any of the four (4) documents just mentioned to their application by the closing date and time to receive points.
Supplemental Information
To Apply:
Please submit your completed application and all additional information/documentation requested online at www.reno.gov/jobs by December 17, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. PT. If a computer or mobile device is not available to you, suggested locations to submit an online application include: the City of Reno City Hall 2nd floor computer kiosk or Civil Service Office, any Nevada Job Connect location, local libraries, or educational facilities.
If you are having difficulty logging into your governmentjobs.com profile, please call the applicant support line at 855-524-5627.
Police Sergeant Application Preparation:
Applicants should prepare their application completely in a professional manner. Applications must show a clear and progressive work history with correct employment dates and a brief description of the tasks performed. Include academic experience which should demonstrate courses of study, verifiable university/college credits successfully completed or degrees earned, and provide supervisory and law enforcement training relative to this position. You may attach a resume (but not in lieu of a fully completed application).
Note: A maximum of one (1) bonus point will be added to the final passing grade for candidates who attach the required documentation to their application as follows:
- 1/4 point for Intermediate P.O.S.T.
- 1/4 point for Advanced P.O.S.T.
- 1/4 point for Supervisor P.O.S.T.
- 1/4 point for Associate's Degree*
- 1/2 point for Bachelor's Degree
- A maximum of 1/2 point will be awarded for degree attainment.
Copies of certificates and/or degrees are required to be scanned or photographed and attached to your online application and submitted by the close of the recruitment (December 17, 2025 by 9:00 a.m. PT), to be eligible to receive the bonus credit.
Examination Process:
Tentative written examination and assessment center dates:
The written test is scheduled for February 3, 2026. (Weight = 20% of final grade)
Note: The 16 highest scoring candidates resulting from and passing the written examination will progress to the assessment center. Tied scores resulting in more than one candidate ranking in the 16th position will be re-ranked according to department seniority.
Assessment exercises are tentatively scheduled for the week of March 2, 2026 (Weight = 80% of final grade).
The scores of all assessment center exercises will be averaged together to create the candidates final score for the assessment center. Candidates must achieve an average final score of 70% or greater in order to pass the assessment center. A passing score is required on the assessment center in order to obtain a passing final grade for the entire examination process.
Notification:
Applicants are notified by email of their examination results. Applicants who do not meet the minimum qualifications will also be notified within two weeks of the job posting closing.
We highly recommend opting in to receive text message notifications. Follow-up text messages may include updates about your application, next steps, and interviews. If you haven’t opted in before, the option will appear before you submit your application. If you’ve previously opted in or out, you can update your choice anytime in account settings in your governmentjobs.com profile.
Testing Accommodation:
We strive to ensure equal access for all individuals. If you require an accommodation due to a disability, you must inform the Chief Examiner by completing the Accommodation Request Form by the closing date of this announcement. All requests will be handled with confidentiality and respect.
Employee/Veteran Preference in the Event of Tie Scores:
Promotional Examinations (Rule VIII, Section 7):
If two or more employees earn the same final score (including seniority points), veterans’ preference will be applied if any of the tied employees have submitted proof of an honorable military discharge. This preference is only used to break ties. If a tie still remains, it will be broken based on seniority in the current classification. Proof of honorable discharge must be submitted with the application.
If two or more employees earn the same final score (including seniority points), veterans’ preference will be applied if any of the tied employees have submitted proof of an honorable military discharge. This preference is only used to break ties. If a tie still remains, it will be broken based on seniority in the current classification. Proof of honorable discharge must be submitted with the application.
Seniority Points:
Seniority Credit (Rule VIII, Section 9):
Classified employees of the City of Reno shall receive seniority credit computed by adding to a passing score as follows:
Classified employees of the City of Reno shall receive seniority credit computed by adding to a passing score as follows:
The final ranking will include the applicable seniority points added to the overall grade of the examination process. For each full year of continuous service completed, 0.2 points will be added up to a maximum of ten (10) years... 2 points will be the maximum.
Appointment & Certification:
Appointments to positions in the City's Civil Service system are made on the basis of examination. Scores resulting from a competitive examination are used in determining a person's rank on an eligible register. The department may hire any of the persons referred. The names of those persons not hired may be considered when the next vacancy occurs, for as long as that register is viable.
Probationary Period:
As the final step in the selection process, newly promoted employees serve a probationary period of fixed duration to show their ability to perform the work.
Questions & Updates:
Questions about the information on this announcement and updates to application information should be directed to Civil Service at (775) 334-2223 or civilservice@reno.gov.
The City of Reno is an equal opportunity employer. Recruitment, hiring, assignment, training, compensation, promotion, retention, and disciplinary decisions will be made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, political affiliation, membership in an employee association, or any other protected class status applicable under federal or state law or City Charter.
2025 Sergeant Reading List:
- Supervising Police Employees in the Twenty-First Century: A Problem-Solving Manual for Law Enforcement Leaders, by Gerald Garner
- Leadership Strategy and Tactics: Field Manual Expanded Edition, by Jocko Willink
- The Rights of Law Enforcement Officers, 8th edition. by Will Atchison (Chapter 4)
- Shaw v. Stroud, 13 F.3d 791 (4th Cir. 1994)
- City of Reno and Reno Police Protective Association Labor Agreement, 2024-2027
- The Reno Police Department’s PTO Basic Manual (pages 1 – 38 only)
- Reno Municipal Codes reference Nuisance Crimes
- Reno Police Department General Orders (27)
- Reno Police Department Executive Directives (18)
- Lexipol Policies (14)
- Lexipol Procedures (9)
List of General Orders
E-250-04 Background Investigations
T-420-22 Mental Health Crisis Response
P-500-18 Body Worn Cameras
T-425-20 Peer Support Program
P-130-05 Child Custody Disputes
P-311-05 Vehicle Usage and Emergency Operation
P-340-05 Code of Conduct and Values and Ethics
E-400-18 Records Management
P-620-21 Custodial Interrogations
E-260-04 Resignation/Termination/Retirement
S-230-04 Decoy Operations
S-100-04 Respiratory Protection
P-180-17 Domestic Violence Investigations
E-700-19 Social Media
E-170-04 Employee Involved Shooting / Death Incidents
S-220-04 Surveillance Operations
E-120-18 Employee Recognition
T-460-09 Temporary Duty Assignment
S-150-04 Flying Armed
P-415-20 Testing After Officer Involved Shooting Incident
S-120-05 Gang Intelligence
E-310-04 Tobacco Products
P-625-21 Hazardous or Suspicious Substances
S-250-04 Vice Investigations
P-230-04 Hospitalized Prisoners
P-630-23 Working Animals
S-240-05 Informants and Confidential Funds
List of Executive Directives
2023-I-09 Ballistic Armor
2024-I-54 Court Pay Practices and Documentation
2023-I-25 Key Box and Patrol Car Plan
2024-I-57 Primary Duty Weapon Storage During Booking
2024-I-03 Updated Key Box Operations
2024-I-59 Bi-Lingual Testing Process – RPPA
2024-I-08 361 Pay
2024-I-67 Use of Narcan in Opioid Exposure Events
2024- I-19 Front Desk Security
2024-I-41 Use of Symbols or Emblems
2024-I-21 Education Reimbursement and Travel/Training Time
2024-I-05 Acting in Charge Pay Memo and Process
2024-I-22 Response to Behavioral/Suicidal Subjects
2024-I-65 Courtroom Attire and testifying armed
2024-I-39 Organization Structure & Chart
2023-I-33 Proper disposal of drugs/narcotics
2024-I-48 Shift Trade
2025-I-60 PTV Deployment
Lexipol Policies
102 Policy Manual
317 Public Alerts
201 AC Directive
433 First Amendment Assemblies
202 Emergency Management Plan
601 Sexual Assault Investigations
300 Use of Force
605 Brady Material Disclosure
302 Handcuffing and Restraints
1017 Meal Periods and Breaks
307 Vehicle Pursuits??
1023 Personal Appearance
316 Missing Persons
1024 Uniform Regulations
Lexipol Procedures
200 Emergency Response to Critical Incident Procedure
407 Patrol Procedure
303 Missing Persons Procedure
501 Traffic Crashes Involving Government Employees
309 Conducted Energy Devices Procedure
502 Traffic Crash Procedure
310 Control Devices and Techniques Procedure
503 Traffic Enforcement Procedure
401 Crisis Response Unit Procedure
Please use this Health and Welfare Benefit Link to learn more about the City of Reno's great employee benefit plans and wellness programs.
Salary : $118,227 - $150,883